Good Picks: Brunson, Wonnum

GETTING THEIR CHANCE

Wonnum, Brunson drafted as nine Gamecocks signed by NFL teams

While Javon Kinlaw was the standout on South Carolina’s defense last season, it was D.J. Wonnum and T.J. Brunson who were the heart and soul.

Both were chosen on day three of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Wonnum, the Buck linebacker/defensive end, was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round (No. 117 overall). The 6-5, 260-pounder became the first Gamecock selected by the Vikings since Jasper Brinkley was taken in the fifth round of the 2009 draft.

Brunson, the 6-1, 229-pound linebacker, was chosen by the New York Giants, a franchise with a lengthy list of legendary linebackers, with the No. 238 overall pick (seventh round).

The four draft picks (Kinlaw, Bryan Edwards, Wonnum and Brunson) are the most selections for South Carolina since the 2015 Draft when A.J. Cann, Mike Davis, Corey Robinson and Rory “Busta” Anderson were taken.

Both day three picks were widely acclaimed.

Louis Riddick said Wonnum has the ability to play defensive end and linebacker in the NFL.

“He plays with tremendous heavy hands in the run game, and then in the pass game he has tremendous cornering speed,” the ESPN analyst and former NFL scout said. “He has the ability to get to that high-side pad, use his hands and then close on the quarterback. He’s also a guy who you can move around as what they call a Joker in a two-point stance. … He doesn’t always have to be at the end of the line of scrimmage. They can move him inside and have him just stand up over the center and pick his gap.

“This is a tremendous value pick in my estimation because of the versatility he gives them.”

Former Gamecock defensive lineman Langston Moore (1999-2002), who crossed paths with Wonnum while the latter was training at the EXOS training facility in Frisco,

By Josh Hyber | Staff writer • Photos by Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth

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Texas, told Spurs & Feathers he expects Wonnum to have a “really long” NFL career.

“For him, he’s one of those deals where, he’s so big and strong and is such a long guy, he’s got to [practice] putting his movements together,” Moore said. “That should be an easy thing for D.J., because he’s also one of those guys who really wants to learn and wants to become a silent assassin.”

A second-team All-SEC selection and South Carolina’s Comeback Player of the Year last year, Wonnum had 37 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss, as a senior.

Moore compared him to his former Detroit Lions teammate and former Gamecock Kalimba Edwards, a 6-6, 265-pound defensive end who played seven seasons in the NFL.

“Whether it’s a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense, D.J. will go out there and compete,” Moore said. “He’s also of the mindset, too, I think, that he wants to show that Javon Kinlaw wasn’t the only one out there making plays the last couple of years.”

Though the odds are long for a seventhround pick to make a team and have a successful career, there’s a chance for Brunson to make the Giants, a team that ranked 30th out of 32 teams in points against last season.

Brunson became the first Gamecock selected by the Giants since tight end Jerell Adams was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 draft.

“Brunson was a good pick who finds the football despite not having any elite physical traits,” NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter wrote.

Brunson had 283 career tackles (21 for loss) and six sacks during his time at South Carolina. He also had six passes defended, four fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble.

“The guy’s a freaking warrior,” former South Carolina linebackers and special teams coach Coleman Hutzler said before this past season.

WHO’S NEXT

The Gamecocks have several players on this year’s team that could be attractive targets in the 2021 draft:

DB ISRAEL MUKUAMU

A second-team All-SEC corner last year, Mukuamu is already considered a firstround pick in early mock drafts. He led the Gamecocks with four interceptions last year, three vs. No. 3 Georgia.

DB JAYCEE HORN

Though he has yet to record his first career interception, Horn is a lockdown corner who usually draws the defense’s toughest assignment. He matched Mukuamu with nine pass breakups last year.

OL SADARIUS HUTCHERSON

A three-year starter and the team’s strongest player, Hutch considered leaving after his junior season. He will return and move back to his natural position at left guard.

TE NICK MUSE

After a big season at William & Mary in 2018, Muse transferred to South Carolina and made an immediate impact before suffering a knee injury. His size (6-4, 250), athleticism and pass-catching ability could make him an attractive target if he has a big senior season.

OL DYLAN WONNUM

A freshman All-American in 2018, Wonnum missed five games with an ankle injury last year. He’s coming off hip surgery, but if he has a big junior season, he could join brother D.J. in the NFL soon.

WR SHI SMITH

Though he hasn’t lived up to expectations yet, Smith has the skill and experience to have a breakout season in 2020. If he finally reaches his potential, his speed (he’s the fastest player on the team) will be attractive to NFL scouts.

DE AARON STERLING

Sterling had a big junior season with six sacks and a team-leading 10 tackles for loss. Though undersized for a defensive end (6-1, 250), he could have a future as a linebacker or pass-rushing specialist.

DT KEIR THOMAS

The versatile defensive lineman missed most of last season with an ankle injury, but returns with plenty of experience (40 games, 25 starts). Though undersized for a defensive tackle (6-2, 270), he has played both inside and outside in his four-year career. Kobe Smith earned an opportunity with a big senior season. Thomas could do the same.