Gamecocks Cash In: South Carolina Alumni Rack Up a Staggering $178 Million on Day One of NFL Free Agency

As the first day of NFL free agency ends, the Gamecocks had a great day, with three players securing a combined $178 million in contracts the most by any one school on Day 1 and having a player become the highest-paid in his position of all time.

CB Jaycee Horn

Arguably one of the best to ever play at South Carolina, Jaycee was a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft and has been a top-five DB in the NFL when healthy. He just got paid like it. Playing at an elite level this year and earning a Pro Bowl selection, he put up these stats against some of the league’s top receivers:

Davante Adams: 15 receiving yards
Ja'Marr Chase: 11 receiving yards
A.J. Brown: 10 receiving yards
Drake London: 3 receiving yards
Courtland Sutton: 0 receiving yards

An elite year that just made him the highest-paid DB in NFL history, with a four-year, $100 million extension, including $70 million guaranteed, according to the NFL.

DT Javon Kinlaw

One of the most dominant defensive players to come through South Carolina, Javon Kinlaw was drafted 14th overall and has played for the 49ers and Jets. After putting together a few solid seasons in the league, he just earned a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed from the Washington Commanders. A huge contract with a lot of guaranteed money for a playoff team with a great defense this is a good move for both parties.

LB Ernest Jones

Last but definitely not least, Ernest Jones is the true definition of a Gamecock. He chose to burn his redshirt year to try and help beat Clemson on the road, became a two-year star at Carolina, and got drafted after just three seasons. He went on to become a star linebacker for the Rams, helping them win a Super Bowl, where he had a huge game.

After being traded to Tennessee last year, Jones has now moved on to Seattle, where he has continued to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He just received a three-year, $33 million extension, placing him among the top 10 highest-paid linebackers in the league, currently ranking 8th or 9th.

That brings the total to $178 million in just the first day of free agency with many more Gamecocks still out there set to make big money. It’s an impressive start for South Carolina and should serve as a great recruiting pitch for the program.

Join the community:

Follow Fisher Brewer on Twitter: @USCTalk
Follow Alex Joyce on Twitter: @AlexJoyceSI
Follow Matthew Peavy on Twitter: @TheMattPeavy
Follow Isaiah Collins on Twitter: @IsaiahCEC
Follow Joseph Griffin on Twitter: @JosephGriffinJG
Follow Luke Brumm on Twitter: @lukebrummcfb
Follow USCTalk on YouTube for more video-based content: USCTalk YouTube

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!