Gamecocks Ink Two Junior College Defensive Backs

Dec. 15, 2016

The University of South Carolina football team has inked a pair of junior college defensive backs, head coach Will Muschamp announced today. Both Kaleb Chalmers from Northwest Mississippi C.C. and Keisean Nixon, from Arizona Western College, are expected to begin classes at South Carolina in January and will go through spring ball.

KALEB CHALMERS

Defensive Back

5-11, 185

Greenwood, S.C. (Greenwood/Northwest Mississippi C.C.)

Spent the 2016 season at Northwest Mississippi C.C. in Senatobia… helped the Rangers to a 9-3 season and a No. 6 final ranking in the NJCAA… coached by Benjy Parker… earned a spot on the All-MACJC first team as a cornerback… recorded 30 tackles with one sack, one interception and 13 pass breakups… spent his true freshman season at Clemson where he was redshirted… played his high school ball for head coach Dan Pippin at Greenwood (S.C) High School, leading the Eagles to the state playoffs as a senior after logging a pair of state titles… was a three-time all-state selection… also earned all-district and all-region accolades… earned a spot on the Shrine Bowl squad following his senior season… had 80 tackles, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a junior… had 45 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore… will have three years to play three at South Carolina.

KEISEAN NIXON

Defensive Back

5-11, 195

Compton, Calif. (Salesian/Arizona Western)

Junior college transfer who spent the past two seasons at Arizona Western College in Yuma… played cornerback and was used as a kick returner by head coach Tom Minnick… the Matadors finished the 2016 season with an 11-1 record and ranked third in the final NJCAA rankings, with their only loss coming in the national championship game to Garden City (Kan.)… recorded 30 tackles with six interceptions, returning two for scores, and five pass breakups in 2016… averaged 42.0 yards on nine kickoff returns, with two touchdowns… was named the NJCAA Special Teams Player of the Week after logging 316 return yards, including back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns, against Mesa… collected 36 tackles with four five interceptions and four pass breakups as a freshman in 2015… rated a four-star prospect by ESPN… considered a four-star prospect, the fifth-best cornerback and the 23rd-best junior college player overall by Scout… a three-star talent who is ranked at the nation’s No. 47 overall junior college prospect and the No. 5 JUCO cornerback in the 247Sports Composite… will have three years to play two at South Carolina.