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Mukuamu

Mukuamu (6'4/205), a second team all-SEC performer who was used at both cornerback and safety this season, is the second South Carolina defensive back in as many days to opt out. Jaycee Horn announced his decision on Monday, and both will commence preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft. In total four South Carolina players have opted out since Will Muschamp was fired on Sunday. The Gamecocks are scheduled to host Missouri Saturday night.

Mukuamu (6'4/198) injured his groin during the Gamecocks’ season-opening loss to Tennessee, and while it wasn’t bad enough to sideline him for the loss at Florida the injury did require some shifting in the secondary. The junior defensive back will be used exclusively at cornerback against Vanderbilt after playing the majority of his reps at safety against the Gators. HC Will Muschamp did not say if Mukuamu is back to full strength just yet, but the decision to move him back to corner means that he’s at the very least making progress.

Mukuamu (6'4/198) played against Tennessee last Saturday but got banged up at some point and had to come out of the game. In typical college coaches fashion, scant details were given about the nature of the injury. According to PFF College, Mukuamu allowed roughly just two receptions per game last season, 13 of which were fewer than nine yards down the field. He also posted a three-interception game against Georgia, one of which he returned for an INT. Mukuamu has a real shot at being the top CB in the 2021 draft class with another strong season.

The SEC was absolutely loaded with star WRs in 2019, so Mukuamu (6'4/198) being able to hold his own so effectively is quite the feat. At 19 receptions versus SEC competition, Mukuamu allowed roughly just two receptions per game, 13 of which were fewer than nine yards down the field. Mukuamu also recorded a three-interception game on the road against Georgia last season, one of which he returned for an INT. With another strong year, Mukuamu has a real shot at being the top CB in the 2021 draft class.

Mukuamu (6'4/198) had a career-game and then some as he broke a 10-10 tie with 1:00 left in the second quarter when he jumped an ill-advised back-foot throw from Jake Fromm and took it 53-yards down the sideline for a touchdown. Mukuamu tripled his seasonal output for interceptions while also posting his season high for total and solo tackles in the contest. Mukuamu also had a pivotal interception in the first overtime when a Jake Fromm pass deflected off Tyler Simmons’ hands into those of Mukuamu to give South Carolina a chance to win the game. It’s hard to overstate just how big of an impact Mukuamu had in the upset. The Gamecocks host SEC East foe Florida next Saturday.

Mukuamu (6'4/190) needed just one visit (which he took earlier this summer) to Tallahassee to convince himself that the Seminoles were the pick. He’s a physical, long athlete who plays with a nice, aggressive edge. Rivals ranks Mukuamu as the No. 24 safety prospect in the 2018 class.

Mukuamu (6'4/198) was an early enroll for the Gamecocks, which gives him a better chance of playing early. He was also considering Florida State -- he decommitted from the Seminoles in November -- and also took visits to Purdue and Georgia, among other schools. He’ll need to add strength, but Mukuamu gets quality reviews on his range and athleticism, and in the mean time, he could make an impact on special teams.

Mukuamu (6'4/190) was one of three Florida State commits to back off their pledges on Wednesday. The Seminoles not only lost his commitment, they may well be out of the conversation, period. While some recruits will decommit but continue to hold court with their former tentative programs -- five-star DE Micah Parsons has done this with Penn State -- Mukuamu named Georgia, South Carolina, Purdue and Indiana as the main players for his pledge after he backed off from the Seminoles. Rivals’ No. 22 safety prospect in the 2018 class plans on making use of the early signing window and will ink with his future school on Dec. 22 barring a late change of plans. Mukuamu cited the uncertainty surrounding FSU HC Jimbo Fisher as reason for reopening his recruitment.

Mukuamu (6'4/190) is the second FSU pledge to decommit on Wednesday, joining DB Houston Griffith, who had earlier in the day backed off his own commitment. Unlike Griffith, who did not provide a reason for reopening his recruitment, Mukuamu specifically cited uncertainty around the future of HC Jimbo Fisher, who is rumored to be seriously considering the open head-coaching gig at Texas A&M. The Bossier City, Louisiana, native initially threw his hat in with the Seminoles over the summer. Indiana, South Carolina and Georgia were in his thoughts prior to his taking the plunge in Tallahassee. Rivals ranks the aggressive, physical safety as the No. 22 safety prospect for the 2018 cycle.