49ers Select Javon Kinlaw With No. 14 Pick in NFL Draft

The 49ers selected DL Javon Kinlaw with the No. 14 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, trading down from No. 13 with the Buccaneers.

The 49ers selected DL Javon Kinlaw with the No. 14 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, trading down from No. 13 with the Buccaneers. Kinlaw was raised in Charleston, South Carolina and played for the Gators at Goose Creek High School. After one year at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, Kinlaw transferred to South Carolina in 2017.

Kinlaw played 13 games for the Gamecocks as sophomore and recorded 20 tackles, three pass breakups and one blocked kick. During 12 starts as a junior, Kinlaw produced 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks and five pass breakups.

Kinlaw (6-foot-5, 324 pounds) finished his career with 35 tackles and six sacks in 12 starts as a senior and earned First-Team All-SEC and Associated Press All-America honors. Over three seasons with the Gamecocks, Kinlaw transformed into one of the best interior defensive linemen in the country.

During 37 games at South Carolina, Kinlaw accumulated 18 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, broke up 10 passes and blocked three kicks. Kinlaw was dominant during the 2020 Senior Bowl.

Here’s why SI’s Kevin Hanson ranked Kinlaw as the No. 10 overall player on his big board:

Kinlaw possesses an unreal combination of size, first-step explosiveness and length—34 7/8" arms and 84" wingspan—and recorded a total of 10 sacks over the past two seasons. The South Carolina senior played his best in games against his toughest competition and put on a show during Senior Bowl one-on-ones.

2019 stats (Senior; South Carolina): 15 solo tackles, 35 total tackles, 6 sacks (12 games)

2018 stats (Junior; South Carolina): 15 solo tackles, 38 total tackles, 4.5 sacks (12 games)

2017 stats (Sophomore; South Carolina): 12 solo tackles, 20 total tackles (13 games)

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