COLUMBIA — Five South Carolina football players were selected during the 2023 NFL Draft, but several Gamecocks will look for their shot in the pros as undrafted free agents.
Cornerback Cam Smith was the first South Carolina player drafted at No. 51 overall by the Miami Dolphins. He was followed by defensive tackle Zacch Pickens at No. 64 to the Chicago Bears, cornerback Darius Rush in the fifth round and guard Jovaughn Gwyn and wide receiver Jalen Brooks in the seventh. All five Gamecocks invited to the combine were drafted, but eight other seniors tested during the team’s Pro Day that could land on NFL rosters.
South Carolina had three players, running back ZeQuandre White, defensive tackle Jabari Ellis and kicker Parker White, sign as undrafted free agents in 2022.
Here are the Gamecocks’ UDFA signings, updated as they are reported:
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Nate Adkins, tight end
The 6-foot-3, 252-pound Adkins has agreed to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos according to multiple reports.
Adkins transferred to South Carolina in 2022 after spending his first four seasons at East Tennessee State. In his lone season with the Gamecocks, he appeared in all 13 games making nine starts and recorded 168 receiving yards.
The Knoxville, Tennessee native is a versatile tight end who contributed primarily as a blocker but had a breakout pass-catching performance in the Gator Bowl.
Josh Vann, wide receiver
The 5-11, 192-pound Vann has agreed to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers per an ESPN report.
Vann, a Tucker, Georgia native, will stay close to home in Charlotte. Four other former Gamecocks currently play for the Panthers: cornerback Jaycee Horn, tight end Hayden Hurst, wide receiver Damiere Byrd and wide receiver Shi Smith.
Vann was a standout for South Carolina in 2021 with more than 600 yards receiving, but his numbers declined in 2022. He concluded his college career with 1,352 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 108 receptions. The wide receiver is coming off of a knee injury suffered in the final regular season game against Clemson that required surgery.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Tracking South Carolina football undrafted free agents after the NFL Draft