Gamecocks Invade NFL Preseason: Week 1 Stars Revealed
Where Are They Now? Every Former South Carolina Gamecock in the NFL for 2026 Preseason
The NFL is back! The unofficial start happened on August 6 with the Hall of Fame Game (Cardinals vs. Panthers), but preseason officially kicks off this Thursday. For fans of the University of South Carolina, that means one thing: tracking all the former Gamecocks now playing on Sundays.
Here is your complete, division-by-division guide to where every former Gamecock landed for the 2026 season.
AFC West
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Kennard | EDGE / OLB | Los Angeles Chargers | A 2nd-round pick looking to bounce back after a quiet rookie year full of "healthy scratches" (inactive games). Coaches say he’s "consistently getting better." |
| Dalevon Campbell | Wide Receiver | Los Angeles Chargers | Made the roster out of rookie mini-camp last year, got cut, went to Carolina, and is now back for a second shot at the 53-man roster. |
| Nick Barrett | Defensive Tackle | Los Angeles Chargers | A 5th-round rookie (2nd straight year Chargers drafted a Gamecock DL). He’s right on the edge of playing time on the first depth chart. |
| Tonka Hemingway | Defensive Tackle | Las Vegas Raiders | A training camp darling—media loves him, and he looks ready to break out in Year 2. |
| Nate Adkins | Tight End | Denver Broncos | Returned to practice Aug. 10 after a minor scare Aug. 7. Entering Year 4 as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) success story. |
| Nick Gargiulo | Guard | Denver Broncos | Stuck on the PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform) after tearing his ACL in the 2025 preseason. |
| Adam Prentice | Fullback | Denver Broncos | Signed a 1-year deal to return. Coach Sean Payton loves having a true fullback on the roster. |
AFC East
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| TJ Sanders | Defensive Tackle | Buffalo Bills | Listed as the #3 defensive lineman on the unofficial depth chart. Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard loves his physicality. |
| Jalon Kilgore | Safety | Buffalo Bills | 5th-round rookie dominating backup QBs in camp. One to watch immediately. |
| Alex Huntley | Defensive Tackle | Miami Dolphins | Spent 2025 on the practice squad; back fighting for a real roster spot. |
| Marcellas Dial | Defensive Back | New England Patriots | One of only two players left from the Pats’ 2024 draft class. Missed 2025 with a torn ACL but looks sharp in camp. |
| Kingsley Enagbare | EDGE | New York Jets | Veteran (4 years in Green Bay) signed with Jets. Currently day-to-day with a foot injury. |
AFC North
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raheim "Rocket" Sanders | Running Back | Cleveland Browns | Spent most of 2025 on the practice squad but flashed when on the field. Could split carries with rookie Dylan Sampson. |
| Gage Larvadain | Wide Receiver | Cleveland Browns | Getting reps with all the QBs while the Browns figure out their starter situation. |
| Demetrius Knight Jr. | Linebacker | Cincinnati Bengals | Year 2 expectations are high after a solid rookie year. Listed next to starter Barrett Carter on early charts. |
| Jovaughn Gwyn | Offensive Tackle | Baltimore Ravens | New home after a year in Atlanta. Competing with veterans Ethan Pocic and Danny Pinter for the starting center job. |
| Rico Dowdle | Running Back | Pittsburgh Steelers | Left a crowded Carolina room for Pittsburgh. Currently RB2 behind Jaylen Warren on the depth chart. |
| Israel Mukuamu | Cornerback | Pittsburgh Steelers | Signed Aug. 6, reuniting with former Gamecock (and Cowboys) teammate Rico Dowdle. |
AFC South
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Lammons | Cornerback | Indianapolis Colts | Strong mid-season pickup in 2025; brought back to replicate that production. |
| Bryan Thomas Jr. | EDGE | Jacksonville Jaguars | Don’t confuse him with WR Brian Thomas Jr.! This rookie edge rusher is fighting for a 53-man spot. |
| Jadeveon Clowney | Linebacker | Houston Texans | Year 12! Career comes full circle back to Houston. Dominating early camp and mentoring young guys. |
| Kai Kroeger | Punter | Houston Texans | Former Gamecock punter; spent 2025 with Saints. Battling to be the Texans’ only punter. |
NFC South
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Muse | Tight End | Atlanta Falcons | Bounced around practice squads in 2025; signed Aug. 11 for a preseason shot. |
| Joshua Simon | Tight End | Atlanta Falcons | Returning to fight for a roster spot in Year 2. |
| Jaycee Horn | Cornerback | Carolina Panthers | The CB1. Camp superstar heading into Game 2. Missed start of camp with a minor toe laceration. |
| Xavier Legette | Wide Receiver | Carolina Panthers | Carted off practice Aug. 4 (scary!), cleared concussion protocol fast, back practicing. Fighting to be a go-to WR in Year 3. |
| Bam Martin-Scott | Inside LB | Carolina Panthers | Played a lot in Hall of Fame Game. Currently behind LB2/LB3 on the depth chart. |
| Spencer Rattler | Quarterback | New Orleans Saints | Lost starting job to rookie Tyler Shough in 2025. Saints committing to Shough for 2026. Rattler needs a huge preseason to earn a trade or backup role elsewhere. |
| Torricelli Simpkins III | Guard/Center | New Orleans Saints | Backup center. Role could grow with starter Dillon Radunz out for the year. |
NFC North
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keisean Nixon | Cornerback | Green Bay Packers | Needs a bounce-back year after struggles in 2025. Also playing for a new contract. |
| Brandon Cisse | Cornerback | Green Bay Packers | 2nd-round pick (1-year Gamecock transfer). Already getting 1st-team reps in camp. |
| Vershon Lee | Guard/Center | Minnesota Vikings | 3rd-team reps in camp. Spent most of 2025 on the practice squad. |
| DJ Wonnum | Defensive Tackle | Detroit Lions | Signed a 1-year, $6M deal to bolster the D-line. |
NFC East
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javon Kinlaw | Defensive Tackle | Washington Commanders | Beat 1st-round LT Kadyn Proctor in 1-on-1s. Pressure is on to justify his big contract. |
| Darius Rush | Defensive Back | Washington Commanders | Hasn’t played a real snap since rookie year (2023 Steelers). Briefly on gameday roster in 2025; fighting for Week 1 spot. |
| Dante Miller | Running Back | New York Giants | 2025 practice squad guy. Buried on the depth chart per the first unofficial lineup. |
| Zacch Pickens | EDGE | New York Giants | Looks like DE2 on the depth chart. 4th year, 3rd team (was in KC in 2025). |
NFC West
| Player | Position | Team | The Lowdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Emmanwori | Safety | Seattle Seahawks | All-Rookie performer returning from ankle surgery (July). Did light stretching Wed; coming off PUP list soon. |
| Ernest Jones IV | Inside LB | Seattle Seahawks | 2 Super Bowls in 6 years (2 teams). Chasing ring #3. Watch him & Emmanwori on HBO’s Hard Knocks! |
| Jalen Brooks | Wide Receiver | Arizona Cardinals | EXPLODED in Hall of Fame Game: 99 yards on just 3 catches. Instant impact in a new uniform. |
| Deebo Samuel | Wide Receiver | San Francisco 49ers | Back with his original team after contract drama. Playing both RB & WR in camp; dominating red zone drills. |
KEY STORYLINES TO WATCH THIS PRESEASON
- The "Hard Knocks" Duo: Emmanwori & Jones IV in Seattle get the HBO spotlight.
- Rookie Watch: Kilgore (Bills), Barrett (Chargers), Cisse (Packers), Thomas Jr. (Jaguars).
- Comeback Kings: Clowney (Houston), Kinlaw (Washington), Rattler (New Orleans – trade bait?), Dial (Patriots).
- Position Battles: Gwyn (Ravens Center), Dowdle (Steelers RB2), Sanders (Browns RB committee), Muse/Simon (Falcons TE).
Summary
The 2026 NFL preseason is loaded with Gamecock flavor across all 8 divisions. From superstars like Deebo Samuel and Jadeveon Clowney to rookies like Nick Barrett and Jalon Kilgore, former South Carolina players are fighting for starting jobs, roster spots, and new contracts. Keep an eye on Seattle (Hard Knocks), Carolina (Horn/Legette), and Buffalo (Sanders/Kilgore) for the heaviest concentrations. Preseason games are the best time to see these guys in live action before rosters are cut to 53!
FAQ: Your Gamecocks in the NFL Questions Answered
1. Who is the most famous former Gamecock currently in the NFL?
Deebo Samuel (49ers) and Jadeveon Clowney (Texans) are the biggest household names, both Pro Bowlers with major contracts.
2. Which rookie has the best chance to start immediately?
Jalon Kilgore (Safety, Bills) and Brandon Cisse (CB, Packers) are both early draft picks getting 1st-team reps in training camp, signaling high trust from coaches.
3. What does "PUP List" mean for Nick Gargiulo?
Physically Unable to Perform. He tore his ACL last preseason. He can’t practice or play until activated, but it doesn’t count against the 53-man roster limit initially.
4. Why is Spencer Rattler’s situation tricky?
The Saints drafted Tyler Shough and named him the 2026 starter. Rattler is essentially auditioning for the other 31 teams via preseason tape, hoping for a trade or a better backup gig elsewhere.
5. Where can I watch these guys play in preseason?
Check your local listings for national broadcasts (NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC) and team-specific streaming apps (e.g., Seahawks on Hard Knocks via HBO Max). Most teams stream preseason games on their official websites/apps.