This post continues a series on Gamecocks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Today we're looking at Garrett Chisolm.
Garrett Chisolm, OG
Measurements: 6'5 / 312
Career Summary: To call Chisolm's college career a long and winding road would be an understatement. Gene Sapakoff called his story "one of the most inspiring in recent college football history," so you know it must be remarkable. Chisolm was not a heralded prospect, beginning his career quietly at Pikeville college in rural Kentucky and then attending Trident Community College in his native Charleston. In 2009, after successfully paying his way at USC, he managed to walk on to the team, and he surprisingly earned significant playing time and a couple of starts in his first season. Then, tragedy struck: Chisolm's mother died in January 2010, and his father followed her in September. How did the devastated Chisolm respond? He earned second-team All-SEC honors in his senior season as starter at right guard, and perhaps even more impressively, he is among the team's most decorated academic performers. He will graduate in May. Yeah, I'd say that's inspiring.
What the Scouts Like: Chisolm isn't just an inspiration story; he's also a baller who showed out on the field in his final season. He's a very strong, physical player who has proven most effective in the running game. He is difficult to overpower and effectively moves defenders away from the projected hole. He has a strong motor, plays hard, and doesn't give up on a play. Lastly, he's shown lots of improvement over the years and appears to be very teachable.
What the Scouts Don't Like: Chisolm isn't a particularly great athlete, lacking elite agility and speed. He won't wow any NFL scouts with his measurables.
Are the Mocks Right?: Most mocks project Chisolm as a seventh-round pick or an UDFA. I don't see him going any higher than that. Despite his on-field success, scouts will go with other players who excel at the combine and / or have better visibility (it's likely most scouts didn't even know who Chisolm was before recently). That said, I like Chisolm's chances of drawing interest from a team and at least making a practice squad or a CFL roster. There should be a place in professional football, at some level, for a player like him. I'm sure we can all join together and wish him the best of luck.