With their mullets, jorts, teal turf, and up-tempo, speed-option offensive brand of football, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have become a national phenomenon. Yet, it’s not all mullets and mayhem in Conway. Hot off the back of a successful NFL draft class, Coastal Carolina has the potential to have a significant presence in the 2023 NFL Draft. Led by quarterback Grayson McCall, these are the Chanticleers you should pay attention to this fall.
Coastal Carolina prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft
Isaiah Likely and Jeffrey Gunter’s selections in April gave Coastal Carolina one of their most successful draft classes in their short history. While two key cogs, plus other playmakers like Jaivon Heiligh, have gone, some players that opted to return for another go around at the college football level give the Chanticleers the potential for a solid 2023 NFL Draft class.
Grayson McCall, QB
We would be remiss to review Coastal Carolina’s 2023 NFL Draft prospects without starting with the leader of their offense, quarterback Grayson McCall. The 6’3″, 210-pound dual-threat has thrown for just shy of 3,000 yards in each of the last two seasons while averaging over 10 yards per attempt in his Chanticleers career. Meanwhile, he’s found the end zone over 60 times in just 24 games. Proficient and productive.
While not routinely tasked with driving the ball to the deep third in Coastal’s system, McCall has shown he can generate the velocity to do so. He excels in the short to intermediate areas of the field, throwing with touch, anticipation, and making tight window throws with unerring regularity. On the ground, he’s a tough runner with enough speed and elusiveness to gain significant scrambling yardage. Throw in pocket awareness and the ability to manipulate defenses, and McCall is an alluring quarterback with definite pro potential.
Jerrod Clark, DT
Jeffrey Gunter and Tarron Jackson have set a defensive standard for Coastal Carolina, and Jerrod Clark is in line to continue that in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6’4″, 340-pound nose tackle helps his teammates pad the stat sheet by routinely attracting double and even triple-teams. His sheer mass allows him to clog rushing lanes, but he’s also adept at penetrating those gaps to be impactful in the backfield. He has impressive quickness for his size while possessing the power and technicality in his hands to enable him to shed blocks for fun.
Reese White, RB
While Shermari Jones led the way in carries last fall, Reese White garnered some draft attention after tallying 7.2 yards per carry and seven touchdowns. Returning for another season, the 5’10”, 195-pound true senior should be firmly on the 2023 NFL Draft radar. White is a genuine speedster but can also vary his tempo to deceive defensive opponents. He’s patient at the line of scrimmage while owning good vision to locate lanes. Meanwhile, he’s flashed high-level receiving ability to add value to his profile.
Braydon Bennett, RB
Alongside White, Braydon Bennett gives Coastal Carolina a potent one-two punch in the running back room. A taller back at 6’2″ and 200 pounds, he’s a track star whose speed shows on the football field. While boasting straight-line quickness, Bennett also has stellar change-of-direction skills, which he uses to extend rushing plays. However, Bennett is also adept at using physicality to grind out extra yardage, lowering his shoulder into contact and routinely driving his opponent backward.
Sam Pinckney, WR
Heiligh’s departure left a hole in the receiving room, but Georgia State transfer WR Sam Pinckney has the potential not just to fill that gap but emerge as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect. The 6’4″, 211-pound pass catcher is a mismatch nightmare whose basketball experience is apparent in his ability to go above and get the ball at its highest point. Strong hands weaponize a natural pass-catching technique, but Pinckney also has quick feet and decent speed for a receiver of his size. He is a potential sleeper in this class.
Willie Lampkin, C
A key component of keeping McCall upright and carving open running lanes for Coastal Carolina’s double-headed RB monster is offensive lineman Willie Lampkin. A true junior, Lampkin has double-digit starts at both LG and RT, bringing experience and versatility. He’ll add to that varied résumé further this fall as the Chanticleers’ starting center.
While he’ll attract the undersized moniker at 6’0″ and 275 pounds, Lampkin’s technical savvy, football intelligence, strong protection anchor, and mauler mentality in the ground game should ensure he gets plenty of attention in the 2023 NFL Draft cycle. It’s no surprise that he’s a former state wrestling champion.
D’Jordan Strong, CB
With seven pass breakups last fall, D’Jordan Strong is Coastal Carolina’s top returning producer in the secondary. However, statistics like that only tell a small part of the story. The 5’11”, 190-pound CB is a highly physical playmaker who showcases impressive click-and-close ability to impact ball carriers. He’s also a ball hawk who combines the physical ability to impact the catch point with high-level football intelligence. Experience in both man and zone schemes helps round out a versatile 2023 NFL Draft profile.
Lance Boykin, CB
Lining up opposite Strong, with the opportunity to elevate his 2023 NFL Draft profile, is Lance Boykin. The 6’3″, 200-pound cornerback is already attracting national attention with a spot on the Shrine Bowl 1000. He boasts alluring height but also excellent length that has helped him to be devastating in coverage. Meanwhile, he’s not afraid to mix it up as a tackler in the ground game. After missing the entire 2020 season while with Old Dominion, expect Boykin to have an even more impactful campaign for the Chants this season.
Jahmar Brown, LB
Ironically, given his transfer from South Carolina, Jahmar Brown will line up at the “spur” position for Coastal Carolina this season. The 6’1″, 210-pound linebacker has explosive speed that he uses in multiple facets of the game. He’s capable of providing coverage ability with range and fluidity while flying to the ball coming downhill. During his time with the Gamecocks, he also showcased strength as a special-teams player, something that will add value to his 2023 NFL Draft profile as a potential riser in the class.
Other potential Coastal Carolina prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft
- Manny Stokes Jr., CB
- Antwine Loper, OT
- Jacob Proche, CB
- Tyson Mobley, WR
- JT Killen, LB
- Kennedy Roberts, DT
- Xavier Gravette, TE