Former Gamecocks Check In From the NFL: Week 1 Roundup / sportsearchers.com

South Carolina’s pipeline to the NFL remains deep, with numerous former Gamecocks contributing across the league in Week 1 action.

Standout Performances

Several ex-Gamecocks made immediate impact. LB Demetrius Knight (Cincinnati Bengals) had arguably the most memorable moment, scoring Cincinnati’s first touchdown of the season on a 27-yard fumble return while adding 7 tackles. DL Jadeveon Clowney (Houston Texans), back with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2014, recorded two QB hits and a sack in his return debut. DB Keisean Nixon (Green Bay Packers), coming off his first Pro Bowl nod, posted 5 tackles, two QB hits, and an interception.

LB Ernest Jones (Seattle Seahawks) continued building on last year’s Super Bowl run with 13 tackles in the opener, while DE Kingsley Enagbare (New York Jets) recorded a sack and two tackles in his Jets debut. LB D.J. Wonnum (Detroit Lions) also made an immediate mark, notching 3 tackles and a fumble recovery in his Lions debut.

Rookie Debuts

A handful of rookies got their first NFL taste. DT Nick Barrett (LA Chargers) played 8 defensive snaps without logging stats, while DB Brandon Cisse (Green Bay Packers) started at corner and recorded his first career tackle across 49 defensive snaps. DB Jalon Kilgore (Buffalo Bills), a fifth-round pick, remained inactive and is still awaiting his pro debut.

Established Veterans

WR Deebo Samuel returned to San Francisco after a stint with Washington, delivering a strong opener with 6 catches for 48 yards and a touchdown, plus 12 rushing yards. DB Jaycee Horn (Carolina Panthers), fresh off a $100 million extension and his second Pro Bowl nod, made his 54th career start, recording 3 tackles. DB Javon Kinlaw (Washington Commanders) made the 63rd start of his career, logging 2 tackles.

RB Rico Dowdle (Pittsburgh Steelers), who signed a two-year deal after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, totaled 15 rushing yards on 8 carries plus 2 catches for 6 yards in his Steelers debut. RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (Cleveland Browns) contributed on special teams, returning three kicks for 130 total yards, including a 74-yard return.

Injury-Related Absences

Several notable Gamecocks remain sidelined. DB Nick Emmanwori (Seattle Seahawks), a Super Bowl winner as a rookie, sat out while recovering from ankle surgery. OL Nick Gargiulo (Denver Broncos) opened the season on the PUP list after missing all of 2025 with a knee injury. LB Bam Martin-Scott (Carolina Panthers) landed on injured reserve with a hamstring issue.

Practice Squad and Depth Roles

Several former Gamecocks remain on practice squads or in reserve roles, including FB Adam Prentice (Denver Broncos), DB Darius Rush (Washington Commanders), and DL Zacch Pickens (Atlanta Falcons). DT T.J. Sanders (Buffalo Bills) and DE Bryan Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars) were both inactive for their respective openers.

Quarterback Note

QB Spencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints) enters his third pro season as a backup after starting 14 games over the past two years, with the Saints opting for Tyler Shough as their starter this season.

With such a large number of former Gamecocks scattered across the league, South Carolina’s NFL presence remains one of the deepest in college football — a trend worth tracking as the season progresses.