There will be a nice mix of Gamecocks at this year's NFL combine as six players were invited to participate in the event held February 22nd through the 28th.
The players are:
- Safety Antonio Allen
- Cornerback Stephon Gilmore
- Defensive end Melvin Ingram
- Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
- Defensive tackle Travian Robertson
- Offensive lineman Rokevious Watkins
These Gamecocks were all instrumental pieces to the success in 2011. Melvin Ingram may be the most visible player out of this group, though, as he's expected to be a high first-round pick. There's a good chance he could go in the Top 15 picks in the first-round which is impressive considering where he was just a few short years ago.
Alshon Jeffery and Stephon Gilmore are first-round talents as well but could end up on the outside looking in. Both could use strong performances in the NFL Combine to have a chance to be drafted in the late first-round. Both were first-round projections before the season started and now they are hanging on the edge of the first-round. If either player is available in the second round then that NFL team just got a steal. Alshon Jeffery is made for the NFL so picking up someone of his caliber in the second-round would be a bargain for that team.
Allen, Robertson and Watkins all excelled in 2011 at their respective positions. Allen has made his way up the safety draft boards and could be the second safety taken in the NFL draft this year. He looks like an early round pick going no later than the third-round. Robertson has been one of the strongest players on the team and is a consistent inside force. He could be a late-round pick. Watkins has the ability and size to move inside or out on the offensive line so some NFL team will get some versatility if they choose him in the later rounds.
All in all, this is a great group of Gamecocks who represented this university extremely well during their time in Columbia. This group can only help increase the visibility of the program and they are perfect examples for the current players to live up to.
Good luck in the NFL!
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