The NFL 2020 Draft kicked off Thursday night from the basement of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, as opposed to Las Vegas.
Goodell, set up in his basement, connected with well over 50 live feeds across the nation. Not only did he connect with the potential prospects, but with fanbases from all 32 teams as well. It was a different experience for sure, but the NFL did a great job rearranging the draft in just over a month.
Javon Kinlaw, the University of South Carolina defensive line prospect, entered the draft as one of the best defensive line prospects and was projected to go to his new home in the first round. There were many predictions he would land in neighboring Charlotte, but when the Panthers took Derrick Brown with the seventh pick, it was up in the air where he would land.
We didn’t have to wait long, as the San Francisco 49ers took him with the 14th pick.
Kinlaw will reunite with former Gamecocks teammate Deebo Samuel, the rookie standout wide receiver who took a trip to the Super Bowl in his first year with the 49ers. The 49ers have a history of drafting South Carolina players, drafting seven Gamecocks since 2011, including Marcus Lattimore, Bruce Ellington, Mike Davis, Busta Anderson, and Chris Culliver.
Kinlaw joined the Gamecocks in his sophomore year and became a core member of the team’s defensive line. In his three years with the Gamecocks, Kinlaw played in 29 games and posted 82 total tackles, 40 solo, and 42 assists. In the 2019 season, he recorded 35 total tackles, 15 solo and 20 assists with six tackles for loss, six sacks, two pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries.
San Francisco filled an immediate need with Kinlaw after the organization traded Deforest Buckner in the offseason. For the Gamecocks faithful, it will be special to see Kinlaw and Samuel reunited in the next level of play.
