South Carolina Gamecocks in the Draft: 2011 Full of Disapointment, FA Hopefulls
So many good South Carolina football players left this year to enter the draft, either through graduation or early entry.
Plenty of South Carolina football players were left on the board, watching their dreams come crashing down.
As a fan, I am disappointed. Some of these guys are great players and hard workers. All is not lost... some of these guys will find homes whenever the free agency period opens. Some NFL teams will get steals from these guys.
Here are the players who made it in the draft and what plans their teams may have for them, and those that will have to take the free agency route, along with the teams that may have an interest in them.
Chris Culliver, Cornerback, 3rd-Round Pick, San Fransisco 49ers
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Chris Culliver is a lucky man. Ranked as the 13th best corner prospect and the 102nd best player prospect, Culliver gets snatched up in the third round (pick 16) by the 49ers. NFL.com experts graded the pick as a 5.3/10, which is not super high.
The 49ers loved his versatility. He could be used as a safety, a corner, and can help in the return game. Initially, he will push for time in their nickel package, as they develop him to be a starter.
Congrats, Chris, on being the first Gamecock chosen!
Cliff Matthews, Defensive End, 6th-Round Pick, Atlanta Falcons
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This is one player I cannot understand the NFL's stance on. All he did at South Carolina was produce. He has great size, and a great motor...and he was graded as a mid-round pick. He was listed as the 16th best defensive line prospect, and the 148th best overall player, which I think is way too low.
Mark my words, Atlanta got a steal in the sixth round (230th overall pick).
His motor and work ethic will allow him to be a pass-rush specialist. Atlanta will try to develop his as such, and he may not see much time his first year as a pro. At some point, he will shock everyone.
Tori Gurley, Wide Receiver, Undrafted Free Agent
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Nothing is sadder than when a good solid player leaves college early to get drafted and then falls out of the entire draft. It is very sad, especially, when the player is all around good guy Tori Gurley, who could have been a monster at South Carolina his senior season.
Ranked as the 43rd best receiver and the 370th best prospect, it isn't a surprise that he didn't get drafted. He has solid hands, and his frame is huge.
I expect a receiver needy team to pick him up...possibly the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, San Fransisco 49ers, or Cincinnati Bengals.
He could play tight end, and is an excellent blocking wide receiver.
Sadly, it looks like practice squad or Canadian league for Gurley.
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Weslye Saunders, Tight End, Undrafted Free Agent
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At 6'5", 267 pounds, Saunders has the prototypical build for an NFL tight end. However, when you run a 4.9 40-yard dash and miss 10 games due to suspension, you generally don't garner a lot of buzz. Someone will give him a chance, as his potential is high.
He was ranked the 13th best tight end prospect and 267th best player. He would be a great fit for a run first or West Coast style offense...
Once again, the Cincinnati Bengals come to mind...as well as the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, or again, the Carolina Panthers.
Ladi Ajiboye, Defensive Tackle, Undrafted Free Agent
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A solid player for four years at South Carolina, Ladi Ajiboye probably doesn't have the athletic ability to really stick with any NFL team.
He ran a 5.4 40-yard dash, which is ridiculously slow, and he is a sub-300 pound player.
We will always remember his solid play, and if he is lucky he may get a tryout, but I believe that Ladi's football career is essentially over. I hope that I am wrong, but I doubt it.
He was ranked as the 28th best defensive tackle prospect, and the 372nd best player.
Jarriel King, Offensive Tackle, Undrafted Free Agent
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At 6'6", 317 pounds, King has good size, and with a 5.03 (some initial reports had him running a 4.97, which is fast for a man his size) 40-yard dash has good athleticism.
However, teams have cited his technique as being "beyond repair" and they question his work ethic. I will not be surprised to see a team give him a tryout, but for him to be cut before making a roster.
Some teams that need offensive line depth could give him a look. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, or Dallas Cowboys could take a look at him.
I see him possibly catching on in a different league, and if he gets coached well and shows he can work hard possibly work his way back into the NFL.
Patrick DiMarco, Fullback, Undrafted Free Agent
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Not only am I positive that someone will give him a chance, I am also positive that he makes a roster, and he starts at some point in his career.
I don't care that he ranked as the 10th best fullback and the 375th best player. Patrick DiMarco has character, skills and versatility.
For my full reasoning why I think Pat will be a great NFL player. Check out my pre-draft article on the topic.
Garrett Chisolm, Offensive Guard, Undrafted Free Agent
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Garret Chisolm has excellent size (6'5", 312 lbs.) and athleticism. NFL team worries about his power, but some scouts view him as someone who could benefit in an athletic/mobility scheme.
Mike Shanahan? That means you...give the kid a call. The Washington Redskins would be a perfect fit for a player who has great upside and could be used as a developmental practice squad guy. He showed flashes of brilliance at USC, and was a tremendously hard worker.
Spencer Lanning, Punter/Kicker, Undrafted Free Agent
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One of the most accurate kickers that South Carolina has had in recent memory (well, besides Ryan Succop of the Chiefs), Lanning could find himself on a practice squad kicking. However, there are too many solid punters (he is only ranked 14th in the draft in punting) and kickers last forever in the NFL, so I expect we have seen the last of Lanning as well.
Good luck either way.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
