Stephon Gilmore, Junior, Cornerback, South Carolina
Overview:
Stephon Gilmore had one of the best true freshman seasons ever at South Carolina. The cornerback enrolled in January of 2009 to be available for spring drills and that really gave him a jump start on his collegiate career. He started every game and tallied 56 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks and one interception. He even played on the other side of the ball as the quarterback in the wildcat formation.
Gilmore was even more impressive as a sophomore. He led the team with 79 tackles, including 6.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 sacks. He also picked off three passes and forced a fumble. After that successful season Gilmore added more accolades to his ever growing list, including Third-Team All-American honors by the AP.
Final Projection:
Gilmore is a fine cover corner, but his most notable skill is his ability to tackle. Rarely does a cornerback lead a team in tackles. That may say a little bit about South Carolina’s linebackers, but it says more about Gilmore’s skill in coming up and stuffing the run. His speed and instincts allow him to be extremely effective in just about every aspect of the game and that should make him a first round prospect.
1/16/12 Update:
After collecting five tackles and an interception in the Gamecocks victory over Nebraska in the Captial One Bowl, Gilmore announced he would not be returning for his senior season. His three seasons at South Carolina were extremely productive and Gilmore could find himself on top of the second tier of cornerbacks in the 2012 NFL draft class. There is work to be done, but Gilmore could easily be a first round selection.
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