South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Israel Mukuamu (24) and South Carolina Gamecocks running back MarShawn Lloyd (1) celebrate their win over the Auburn Tigers during at Williams-Brice Stadium. Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina CB Israel Mukuamu opts out to prep for NFL Draft

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/17/20

Less than 48 hours after the South Carolina Gamecocks parted ways with head coach Will Muschamp, the program lost its two best cornerbacks.

Israel Mukuamu confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that he is opting out of the remainder of the college football season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

To God be the glory ❤️ #thankyou pic.twitter.com/53gA8m20hx
— Izzy (@IsraelMukuamu) November 17, 2020

On Monday night, Jaycee Horn, the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, declared his intention to forgo the rest of the campaign to focus on next year's draft.

South Carolina fell to the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday to drop to 2-5 on the season. That defeat coupled with Muschamp's ouster seemingly made the decision easy for the pair of defensive backs, who will soon be playing on Sundays.

Mukuamu and Horn end their collegiate tenures tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Mukuamu also contributed 10 tackles on the year.

Per the South Carolina website, Mukuamu earned Second-Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press for the 2019 season after he recorded four interceptions, 45 tackles, nine passes defended and a touchdown.

Charlie Campbell of Walter Football lists Mukuamu as a potential second- to fourth-round selection.

"He is a giant corner, but he has issues running with speed and preventing separation," Campbell recently explained. "Mukuamu is limited to being a press man or zone corner at the next level."

The Gamecocks list Mukuamu at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds.

According to Alex Scarborough of ESPN, draft expert Todd McShay has Mukuamu as the fourth-best cornerback available in next year's draft class.

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