Gamecocks in the NFL: 2022 Season Superlatives
Now that the 2022-2023 NFL season is officially over, it is time to revisit the season and see which of the many former Gamecocks in the league had excellent performances. South Carolina has developed many outstanding football players over the last decade, many of which have dominated the NFL.
Rookie of the Year - Kingsley Enagbare
Though 2022 was one of the weaker draft classes for South Carolina over the past few years, there were still a few rookies representing South Carolina in the NFL. The best of those rookies was LB Kingsley Enagbare from the Packers. Despite being a fifth-round pick, Enagbare was able to carve out a role on the Packers' defense.
Initially, Enagbare's role on the team was small. Through the first nine games of the season, he appeared in more than 40% of each game's defensive snaps just twice. That quickly changed, as he would start seven of the season's last eight games. Enagbare closed the season with 31 tackles and three sacks. According to PFF, he also ranked first in pass-rush win rate amongst rookies.
Breakout Player of the Year - Keisean Nixon
One of the biggest surprises of the 2022 NFL season was the emergence of Packers KR/PR Keisean Nixon. Before the start of this past season, Nixon's role in the NFL was unestablished. Despite already being a three-year veteran with the Raiders, he had spent most of his time in the NFL thus far as a reserve cornerback.
Though Nixon did see some time at DB, he served primarily as the Packers' return man. His 28.8 yards per return ranked third in the NFL amongst all return men with at least 15 kickoff returns. Nixon's emergence as an elite returner kickstarted the Packers' offense and helped aid Green Bay's late-season resurgence. His efforts as returned earned him an AP All-Pro First Team selection, the only one amongst all the Gamecocks in the NFL.
Offensive Player of the Year - Deebo Samuel
After his fantastic 2021 season campaign, 49ers offensive handyman Deebo Samuel was primed for an excellent follow-up year. Unfortunately for Samuel, injuries plagued much of his 2022 season. Appearing in only 13 games and playing through injuries in many more, Samuel's season was an uphill battle. Despite battling through injuries, he still had a very productive season while playing.
The former All-Pro WR/RB hybrid totaled over 850 total all-purpose yards in the 2022 season, tacking on five touchdowns as well. Though it seemed like a bit of a down year, Samuel's production, while healthy, was very similar to his 2021 year.
Defensive Player of the Year - Jaycee Horn
Perhaps the most highly-anticipated former Gamecock in the NFL since Jadeveon Clowney, Jaycee Horn's success in the NFL felt almost imminent. Drafted eighth overall in last year's draft to the Panthers, Horn was expected to become the focal point of Carolina's secondary. Though he started his career off slow with an underwhelming year, he found his stride the year and became the centerpiece of the Panther's secondary.
Horn finished 2022 with seven pass deflections, 53 tackles, and three interceptions. He was also lockdown in coverage for most of the season, holding some of the league's best receivers to minimal impacts.
MVP - Stephon Gilmore
After winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019, Gilmore has continued his dominance over the NFL despite bouncing around from team to team. Gilmore continued his reign as a top-ten cornerback in the NFL this year with the Colts, fortifying Indianapolis with one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Though he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, Gilmore's 11 pass deflections reflect his pass coverage this past season, which was excellent.
There's not much to say about the two-time All-Pro that isn't already known. Gilmore continues to solidify himself as one of the greatest Gamecocks to ever play in the NFL.
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