Jalon Kilgore

* 2023 First-Team Freshman All-America (ESPN.com, 247Sports)

* 2023 Third-Team Freshman All-America (College Football News)

* 2023 SEC All-Freshman (Coaches)

* 2023 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Semifinalist

* 2023 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll

Second-year defensive back who figures to be a fixture in the secondary after an outstanding freshman campaign in 2023… earned Freshman All-America and Freshman All-SEC honors in his first year in Columbia… could be used at either Nickel or safety… also can be used on special teams.

2023 (Freshman)

True freshman who was named a first-team Freshman All-American by ESPN.com and 247Sports and was a third-team selection by College Football News… named to the SEC All-Freshman team by the league’s 14 coaches… recognized as one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award… played in all 12 games, starting the final 11 contests… worked at both nickel and safety… was also the team’s top punt returner… second on the team with 76 tackles… tied for 16th overall in the SEC and tied for sixth among all freshmen in the FBS in tackles per game at 6.33… credited with 1.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, one interception and a forced fumble… returned nine punts for a 5.4-yard average with a long of 15 yards… posted multiple tackles in all 12 games… forced into duty early in the season opener against North Carolina when Nick Emmanwori left the game with an injury on the first series… responded with a dozen tackles against the Tar Heels… turned in a career high 15-tackle performance against Tennessee while also recording his first career interception against the Volunteers… followed that up with an 11-tackle effort against Florida… two of his six pass breakups came at Missouri… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL

Graduated from Putnam County in Eatonton, Ga. in December, 2022… played on both sides of the ball for the War Eagles, working at wide receiver on offense and safety on defense… coached by Shaun Pope… named the Georgia Region 4-AA Athlete of the Year as a junior in 2021… caught 34 passes for 921 yards and 11 TDs… credited with 88 tackles, eight pass breakups and four forced fumbles… also competed in track & field and on the basketball hardwood… set personal bests of 11.62 in the 100, 51.71 in the 400 and 23-7 in the long jump… was the Georgia 2A long jump state champ as a sophomore… ranked as the 27th-best prospect in Georgia, the 26th-best safety in the country and No. 284 overall according to 247Sports Composite… rated the 25th-best player in the Peach State, the 20th-best safety in the country and No. 271 overall by On3 Composite… ESPN ranked him as the 48th-best player in the state and the No. 43 safety in the nation.

PERSONAL

Jalon G. Kilgore was born Jan. 27, 2005… is a public health major… older brother, Gerald, is also a member of the Gamecock football squad.