Former Gamecocks Standing Out At Senior Bowl

Former South Carolina football players Darius Rush and Zacch Pickens have showcased their talents in Mobile this week.

In Shane Beamer's first two years in Columbia, the South Carolina Gamecocks have greatly exceeded national expectations. While there are various reasons why that's been the case, multiple upperclassmen on the team stepping into bigger roles have served as a major catalyst. 

A couple of the seniors who helped the Gamecocks take another step in 2022 were cornerback Darius Rush and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, both of which developed into productive defensive leaders during this coaching staff's first couple of seasons in Columbia.

Pickens and Rush opted out of the Gator Bowl to prepare for the Reese's Senior Bowl, where they perform all week for NFL evaluators. It's an excellent opportunity for Darius and Zacch to raise their draft stock.

Former #NFL GM Rick Spielman's risers and fallers:
⬆️Risers:
OT Dawand Jones
WR Tre Tucker
DT Zacch Pickens

⬇️Fallers:
QB Jake Haener
QB Jaren Hall
RB Chase Brown#NFLDraft #NFLDraftNews #NFLDraft2023 #NFLTwitter https://t.co/HPjEYZLmdW

— First N Goal (@First_N_Goal1) February 1, 2023

While Pickens has been a menace for the National team's offensive linemen, fellow South Carolina native and alum Darius Rush has been keeping pace with his old college teammate. He's consistently won his one-on-ones against opposing wideouts from the American team and, to top it all off, has recorded the fastest speed in Mobile to this point.

IMPRESSSSSSIVE rep from @GamecockFB CB Darius Rush at the Senior Bowl! pic.twitter.com/58YtXIFbf6

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) January 31, 2023

While South Carolina has had two representatives in the Senior Bowl, they're about to see another former Gamecock added to the roster. Offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn recently competed in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and has accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

South Carolina's fanbase is surely thankful for everything the group of seniors from the 2022 squad did to help put the Gamecocks back in front of the national spotlight. These players are bearing the fruits of their labor as they prepare for the biggest day in their football careers.

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