Fourteen former Gamecocks work out for NFL scouts, coaches at Pro Day

Fourteen former Gamecocks showed up and showed out Wednesday at South Carolina’s annual Pro Day at the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility.

Cornerback Jaycee Horn headlined that group, impressing NFL scouts and coaches with an incredible showing in front of his dad, former Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn.

Jaycee ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. The junior also had a 41.5-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 11 feet, 1 inch.

“I feel like I’m the best defensive player in the draft,” Horn said Tuesday before Pro Day. “I’m versatile; I’ve got the speed; I’m athletic. I faced every receiver, body type and I feel like I’m just the best defensive player in the draft.”

Horn is a projected first round draft pick in next month’s NFL Draft.

The 13 other former players who took part in today’s drills included Javon Charleston, Tavien Feaster, Daniel Fennell, Collin Hill, Jaycee Horn, Sadarius Hutcherson, J.T. Ibe, Ernest Jones, Caleb Kinlaw, Kiel Pollard, Adam Prentice, Shi Smith and Eldridge Thompson.

Six NFL general managers representing the Cardinals, Bills, Broncos, Packers, Dolphins and Titans, and two head coaches, Matt Rhule from the Panthers and Mike Vrabel from Titans, were among the 61 NFL staffers in Columbia on Wednesday to get an up-close look at Carolina’s NFL hopefuls.

The day started in the weight room as the players were measured for height, weight, wingspan, arm and hand, before participating in the vertical jump and bench press. The event then moved to the Jerri and Steve Spurrier indoor practice facility, where the players competed in the broad jump, 40-yard dash, short shuttle, 3-cone drill and long shuttle before finishing with individual position drills.

Other notable marks were put up by offensive lineman Sadarius Hutcherson, who bench pressed 225 pounds 36 times. Hutcherson also vertical jumped 31 1/2 inches and posted a 4.95 40-yard dash while weighing in at 321 pounds. Linebacker Ernest Jones showed his athleticism with a 38 1/2-inch vertical leap and a 10-6 broad jump while weighing 230 pounds. Safety J.T. Ibe had a strong day as well, logging a 42-inch vertical leap and an 11-2 broad jump.

Spotted among the Pro Day attendees were former Gamecock and NFL standouts Captain Munnerlyn and Javon Kinlaw, who were on hand to lend their support.

The seven-round NFL Draft is scheduled for Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1.