The 2024 NFL Draft ended Saturday with rounds four through seven, and seven in-state players heard their names called, four from Clemson and three from USC. The two rivals combined to send ten players to the league through this year’s draft, six from Clemson and four from USC.
First off the board for Clemson Saturday was RB Will Shipley who was taken by the Eagles with the 27th pick of the fourth round. Shipley became the 13th Clemson player drafted by the Eagles all-time, joining G Frank Gillespie (1949), T Nathan Gressette (1954), G Clyde White (1955), C Wingo Avery (1955), C Jim Padgett (1958), T Jack Smith (1959), G Jim Payne (1959), G Eric Harmon (1991), SS Brian Dawkins (1996), DB C.J. Gaddis (2007), DE Ricky Sapp (2010) and S K’Von Wallace (2020). Shipley became the 18th Clemson running back selected in the Common Draft era (since 1967).
DE Xavier Thomas was next for the Tigers, the Cardinals snatching him with the third pick in round five. Thomas became the 16th Clemson player drafted by the Cardinals all-time, joining E Gus Goins (1939), B Shad Bryant (1940), T Earl Wrightenberry (1953), T Bill Hudson (1957), T Harold Olson (1960), T Jimmy King (1961), T Ricky Johnson (1966), C Wayne Mulligan (1969), T Joe Bostic (1979), PK Bob Paulling (1984), TE K.D. Dunn (1985), CB Dexter Davis (1991), DT Vance Hammond (1991), RB Andre Ellington (2013) and LB Isaiah Simmons (2020). Thomas became the third Clemson player drafted specifically by the Arizona Cardinals. Clemson had four players drafted by the Chicago Cardinals, seven drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, two drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals and now three drafted by the Arizona Cardinals. Thomas became the 22nd member of Clemson’s front seven to be drafted since the 2015 NFL Draft.
With the 20th pick in the fifth round, the Eagles selected Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. That was also a nostalgic pick for the Eagles and the Trotter family as Trotter Sr. was a standout linebacker in Philly for eight seasons. Trotter became the eighth off-ball linebacker drafted from Clemson since the 2015 NFL Draft. Trotter joined Stephone Anthony (2015), Tony Steward (2015), B.J. Goodson (2016), Dorian O’Daniel (2018), Isaiah Simmons (2020), Baylon Spector (2022) and Trenton Simpson (2023) in that group. Trotter became the first Clemson player to join his father as an NFL Draft pick since wide receiver Amari Rodgers — the son of quarterback and 2000 NFL Draft pick Tee Martin — was selected by the Green Bay Packers in 2020. Trotter’s father was a third round pick of the Eagles in the 1998 NFL Draft.
The final Clemson player chose was DT Tyler Davis who went to the Rams with the 20th pick of round six. Davis became the 14th NFL Draft selection from Clemson in Rams history, joining B Jackie Calvert (1951), C Bill Thomas (1958), T Don Chuy (1963), LB Danny Triplett (1983), P Dale Hatcher (1985), CB Dexter McCleon (1997), RB Raymond Priester (1998), G Glenn Rountree (1998), CB Tye Hill (2006), C Dustin Fry (2007), DT Dorell Scott (2009), T Tremayne Anchrum (2020) and TE Davis Allen (2023). (Note: The Rams also have an additional NFL Supplemental Draft selection in franchise history: T Isaiah Battle (2015). Davis became the 24th member of Clemson’s front seven to be drafted since the 2015 NFL Draft. Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, Dabo Swinney ranked first among active coaches and second among all coaches — active or inactive — in front-seven draft picks produced in that span.
Earlier in the draft for Clemson, CB Nate Wiggins was the 30th overall pick by the Ravens and DT Ruke Orhorhoro was a second round selection by the Falcons.
For the Gamecocks, the spotlight was on QB Spencer Rattler. Some had projected him as a day two pick, but he was still on the board Saturday until the Saints nabbed him with the 15th pick of round five.
CB Marcellas Dial was the next Gamecock taken. He went to the Patriots with fourth pick of round six. He is the 34th Gamecock defensive back selected overall, the fifth in the past four years and the 19th since 2002. Cam Smith (Miami) and Darius Rush (Indianapolis) were selected last year, while Jaycee Horn (Carolina) and Israel Mukuamu (Dallas) were taken in the 2021 draft.
With the next to last pick of the draft, Gamecock OL Nick Gargiulo was selected by the Broncos. Gargiulo is the only the second Gamecock offensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft in the past five years, joining 2023 draft pick Jovaughn Gwyn (Atlanta).
The other Gamecock taken in the draft was WR Xavier Legette who was the first round selection of the Panthers Monday night.
With the draft complete, free agent signings and camp invites are the next order of business. GamecockCentral reported USC receiver Dakereon Joyner was invited to Seattle’s rookie minicamp. Tom Pellissero of the NFL Network reported USC TE Trey Knox had signed with the Vikings. USC WR Ahmarean Brown signed with Cleveland. Furman TE Mason Pline signed as a free agent with the 49ers and Paladin OL Jake Johanning signed with the Raiders. Clemson center Will Putnam also signed with the Raiders. South Carolina State DT Jeblonski Green was invited to minicamp with the Colts.
