June 10, 2014

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The following Gamecock signed an undrafted free agent deal:

Victor Hampton, a 5-9, 197-pound cornerback from Darlington, S.C., was one of the vocal leaders and most physical players on the squad. He earned a spot on the Associated Press. and the College Sports Madness All-SEC second team and was a third-team all-league selection by Phil Steele following his senior season. Hampton played 36 games, making 22 starts over his three-year career for the Garnet & Black, logging five career interceptions and 18 pass breakups. He garnered the Everyday Attitude Award at both the 2012 and 2013 Garnet & Black Spring Game. Hampton was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Mississippi State in 2013 when he logged eight tackles, including six solo stops, forced and recovered a fumble and was credited with three pass breakups.

May 10, 2014

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The following Gamecocks have signed undrafted free agent deals:

Jimmy Legree, Seattle Seahawks
Legree, a 6-0, 187-pound cornerback was a four-year letterwinner for the Gamecocks. The Beaufort, S.C. native collected six career interceptions, including three in both his junior and senior seasons. He started all 13 games during the 2013 season and made 23 career starts while seeing action in 49 contests.

Kelcy Quarles, New York Giants
Quarles, a 6-4, 297-pounder from Hodges, S.C., earned first-team All-America honors in 2013 and was a unanimous All-SEC selection after collecting 13.5 tackles for loss including 9.5 sacks. During his three-year career at South Carolina, he posted 23.5 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks in 35 games, including 28 starts.

Connor Shaw, Cleveland Browns
Shaw, a 6-0, 206-pounder from Flowery Branch, Ga., finished his Gamecock career as the winningest quarterback in school history. He posted a 27-5 career mark, including a perfect 17-0 record at home. During his senior season, Shaw completed 63.4 percent of his passes (180-for-284) for 2,447 yards with 24 touchdowns and just one interception. He was responsible for a school-record 74 touchdowns and ranks among the school's all-time leaders in completion percentage (1st-65.5), touchdown passes (2nd-56), passing yards (4th-6,074), completions (5th-480) and pass attempts (7th-733). He also ranks 20th on Carolina's all-time rushing list.

Chaz Sutton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sutton, a 6-5, 263-pound defensive end from Savannah, Ga., started all 13 games... collected 32 tackles including 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks... also registered four quarterback hurries, forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one... notched 1.5 sacks in the win over Vanderbilt... credited with a half sack in the win over UCF... forced a fumble and had a quarterback hurry against Mississippi State... had a tackle for loss, forced and recovered a fumble against Clemson... notched a sack in the bowl win over Wisconsin... earned the Outstanding Weight Room award for the defense at the 2013 Garnet & Black Spring Game... played in 50 games during his career... credited with 75 tackles including 20 TFL's and nine sacks.

Ronald Patrick, Dallas Cowboys
Patrick, a 6-2, 315-pound guard from Cocoa, Fla., was one of five senior scholarship players on the roster... second-year starter at the right guard position... consistent performer... started all 12 games in which he played... suffered a high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter in the win at Arkansas... the injury caused him to miss the Tennessee game, snapping a string of 19 consecutive starts... returned to the starting lineup at Missouri... made 25 career starts... earned a spot on the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll for the third-straight year.

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GAMECOCK DRAFTED (FOURTH ROUND): With the 106th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected Bruce Ellington.

Ellington, a 5-9, 197-pound wide receiver from Moncks Corner, S.C., was the Gamecocks' top receiver in 2013 with 49 catches for 75 yards and eight touchdowns. During his career, he logged 106 receptions for 1,586 yards and 16 touchdown catches. A two-sport standout, Ellington was a three-year starter on the hardwood, averaging over 11 points per game. He earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team in both football and basketball.

Bruce Ellington is an absolute steal in 4th round. Will play a long time and make a bunch of plays in the NFL. Can take u to the hoop, too.

-- ESPN SEC (@ESPN_SEC) May 10, 2014

NEWS
San Francisco 49ers Draft WR Bruce Ellington
Bruce Ellington's Combine Workout
Bruce Ellington gives 49ers WR depth
49ers RB Lattimore Encouraged Ellington in College
Conference Call: WR Bruce Ellington
Bruce Ellington drafted by San Francisco 49ers in fourth round, reunited with Marcus Lattimore

May 8, 2014

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GAMECOCK DRAFTED (FIRST ROUND): With the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have selected defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

Clowney, a 6-5, 266-pound defensive end from Rock Hill, S.C., became the 12th first-round draft pick in school history and the seventh since 2000. In three seasons in the Garnet & Black, he recorded 47.0 tackles for loss and 24.0 sacks, ranking second and third respectively in school history. A two-time first-team All-SEC and All-American, Clowney finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting following the 2012 campaign. He was also the All-America Player of the Year, presented by AT&T, as selected by the fans on ESPN.com and was the Hendricks Award winner as the nation's top defensive end. During his sophomore season, he set school single-season records for sacks (13.0) and tackles for loss (23.5) while earning University of South Carolina Male Athlete of the Year accolades.

Houston Texans GM Rick Smith on Clowney:

"Do we worry about his work ethic? We don't at all. He's ready to come in and work. He wants to be great." -Smith on Clowney #Texans

-- Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 9, 2014

One AFC West coach called Texans No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney "an Andrew-Luck-type difference maker." Time to get after Luck.

-- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 9, 2014

Congratulations to my man @clownejd for goin #1. Now it's time to show em who u are!!!!

-- Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) May 9, 2014

NEWS
Texans select Jadeveon Clowney with No. 1 pick
Clowney: I'm not going to let anybody down
Houston GM Rick Smith talks Clowney
Texans bring tears to Clowney's eyes
Texans get an A for selecting Jadeveon Clowney
Pass rush to excel with Clowney, Watt
1-on-1: Clowney on role with Texans
Jadeveon Clowney ready to make QBs cry after NFL draft tears
QUOTES: Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney to be used as OLB
Texans Quotes: Rick Smith
Texans' Jadeveon Clowney all smiles as `JD' sees Houston

May 7, 2014

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The 2014 NFL Draft returns to primetime, with the first round taking place Thursday, May 8 (starting at 8 p.m. ET), followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, May 9 (starting at 7 p.m. ET). Rounds 4-7 will be held Saturday, May 10 (starting at noon ET).

Here are some notes on the Gamecocks heading into this year's draft:

• South Carolina has produced 11 first-round draft picks all-time, with six coming since 2000.
• South Carolina running back George Rogers was selected with the No. 1 overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy in 1980. Rogers earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors after leading the league in rushing in 1981. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1981 and 1982.
• 13 Gamecocks have been selected in the last two drafts.
• 45 South Carolina players have been drafted since 2000, an average of over three draftees per year.
• A Gamecock has been selected in each of the last 12 NFL Drafts.
• 28 South Carolina defensive backs have been selected in the NFL Draft, with 14 picked since 2002.
• South Carolina has had 188 players drafted.

For more information on Gamecocks in the NFL, check out our NFL Draft & History Section from the 2013 Gamecock Football Media Guide.

Be sure to check back here for all the updates on the Gamecocks during this year's draft.

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