NFL Draft 2012: Profiling Former South Carolina DB Stephon Gilmore

Earlier this week, we profiled former South Carolina Gamecock Melvin Ingram. Today, we take a look at another Gamecock expected to go in the first round of the NFL draft in cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Gilmore capped off his final season in Columbia with four interceptions, which was good enough to finish ninth in the SEC.

He picked off seven career passes and started 40 games in his three seasons with the Gamecocks, and was named to the CollegeFootballNews.com 2009 All-Freshman Team. He also had three picks in 2010, but struggled a bit due in large part to confusion in the secondary rather than issues related to his specific skills.

Gilmore clocked a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. At 6'1" and 190 pounds, he's certainly got the size to step in and play well at the next level. He's known as a guy that can stick his nose in on run support, which will certainly be attractive to NFL general managers. 

NFL scouts aren't high on his route recognition, according to NFL.com; but that's something that can be taught once football becomes his job rather than just part of his college life.

Gilmore is expected to go in the mid-to-late first round of the NFL draft. He might not be a star right away, but he will enjoy a long career in the NFL.

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