Kinlaw Selected by San Francisco in the First Round of the NFL Draft

University of South Carolina senior defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 14th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. Kinlaw became the Gamecocks’ 14^th first-round NFL draft pick and the ninth since 2000.
 
With Kinlaw’s selection, the Gamecocks have produced a selection in 18 of the last 19 NFL Drafts. Kinlaw also becomes the 16^th first-round selection coached by Carolina head coach Will Muschamp.
 
Kinlaw joins Deebo Samuel in San Francisco. Samuel was selected by the 49ers in the second round of the last year’s draft.
 
Here is the list of Gamecocks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft:
 
Year         Player                                         POS                            Team                                                             Pick
2020        Javon Kinlaw                             DT                               San Francisco 49ers                                14
2018        Hayden Hurst                           TE                               Baltimore Ravens                                     25
2014        Jadeveon Clowney                 DE                               Houston Texans                                        1
2012        Stephon Gilmore                    CB                               Buffalo Bills                                                 10
2012        Melvin Ingram                        DE                               San Diego Chargers                                18
2006        Johnathan Joseph                  CB                               Cincinnati Bengals                                   24
2005        Troy Williamson                      WR                             Minnesota Vikings                                   7
2004        Dunta Robinson                       DB                               Houston Texans                                        10
2000        John Abraham                         LB                                New York Jets                                            13
1993        Ernest Dye                                OT                              Phoenix Cardinals                                    18
1988        Sterling Sharpe                       WR                             Green Bay Packers                                  7
1981        George Rogers                        RB                               New Orleans Saints                                 1
1981        Willie Scott                                TE                               Kansas City Chiefs                                    14
1979        Rick Sanford                             DB                               New England Patriots                             25
 
Here is Kinlaw’s bio:
 
2019
Named Associated Press first-team All-America, second-team All-America by USA TODAY, was a first-team All-SEC selection by the Southeastern Conference coaches, and was a second-team All-SEC selection by the AP… also was a second-team All-SEC selection and a third-team All-American, according to Pro Football Focus… became the 25th first-team All-American in South Carolina football history… selected to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl… invited to the NFL Combine… named as one of six Dr. Harris Pastides Outstanding Student-Athlete Award winners… selected by his teammates as the winner of the MVP of the defense (Joe Morrison Award), the Most Productive Player on defense, the Unselfish Teammate Award for defense and the Tenacity Award for defense… selected as one of five permanent team captains… notched 35 tackles and 6.0 sacks, tying for eighth in the SEC… added four quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick… had big game in 2019 season-opener vs North Carolina with four tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and the third blocked field goal of his career… recorded four tackles and a sack against Alabama… logged four tackles, 1.0 sack, one pass breakup, one QB hurry and a fumble recovery at Missouri… the midseason All-American was recognized as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in the upset win over Georgia after recording four tackles and a sack… also applied the pressure that forced an errant Jake Fromm throw on Israel Mukuamu’s pick-six late in the first half… graduated in December… missed the spring following hip surgery.
 
2018
The Gamecocks’ top interior defensive lineman… started all 12 games during the regular season… shared the Joe Morrison Award, which goes to the MVP of the defense, with T.J. Brunson…. credited with 38 tackles including 10.0 tackles for loss and a team-high 4.5 sacks… logged five pass breakups and three quarterback hurries… matched his career high with five tackles in the season opener vs. Coastal Carolina, including his first career half-sack… had his best game vs. Vanderbilt, finishing with five tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and a pair of quarterback hurries, earning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week accolades and was selected to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week… posted five tackles against Kentucky… logged five tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a key sack late in the 4th quarter in the Ole Miss win… blocked a field goal against Chattanooga, the second of his career… missed the Belk Bowl after undergoing surgery on his hip following the regular season.
 
2017
JUCO transfer in his first year at Carolina… dropped roughly 40 pounds after his arrival in Columbia… played in all 13 games making 10 starts… credited with 20 tackles including 2.0 tackles for loss… also broke up three passes, recovered two fumbles, forced one fumble and blocked a kick… made his presence felt in the win over Missouri with a tackle, two pass breakups and a blocked field goal… moved into the starting lineup against Louisiana Tech… logged three tackles including a tackle for loss against Arkansas… made three stops and had a fumble recovery against Georgia.. credited with a career-best four tackles, including one for loss, in the Florida win… also had four stops against Wofford… forced and recovered a key fumble in the Outback Bowl win over Michigan… earned the team’s Nutrition Award.
 
2016
Defensive tackle who spent the 2016 season at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss… coached by Steve Buckley… the Bobcats posted a 6-3 ledger in 2016… named second-team All-America, first-team All-Region 23 and first-team All-MACJC… also named the MACJC South Division’s Most Valuable Defensive Lineman after recording 26 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
 
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Goose Creek (S.C.) High School.
 
PERSONAL
Javon Kinlaw was born October 3, 1997… is an interdisciplinary studies major… graduated in December 2019.