2026 NFL Prospect Profile: South Carolina’s Cornerback Brandon Cisse

Cisse made the decision to declare for the NFL Draft after his junior season, leaving the Gamecocks with a résumé that combines sticky man-coverage skills, explosive athletic traits, and experience against elite SEC competition. Originally from Sumter, South Carolina, Cisse began his college career at North Carolina State before transferring to South Carolina in January 2025. His time in the ACC and SEC has allowed him to hone his game against top-level receivers, and he wasted little time establishing himself as a boundary corner in Columbia’s defense. 

In the 2025 season, Cisse started every game for the Gamecocks and put together a strong body of work: 19 solo tackles, 27 total stops, five passes defended, one interception, and one forced fumble. His ability to disrupt opposing passing games was particularly noticeable in man coverage, where he routinely limited quarterback options and challenged receivers at the catch point. 

What truly sets Cisse apart as an NFL prospect is his blend of press-man capability and elite athleticism. He uses impressive lateral quickness and burst to stay in phase with routes, reset his hips cleanly, and react to breaks with precision. His 40-yard dash has been clocked among the faster times in the draft pool, and his ability to accelerate and decelerate on a dime makes him effective in redirecting and closing on the ball. 

Cisse’s press coverage ability is another key part of his draft appeal. He jams effectively at the line of scrimmage, disrupts route stems, and throws off timing, forcing quarterbacks to alter reads and anticipate covered targets. That physicality, combined with fluid hips and recovery speed, allows him to be a true boundary defender capable of locking down elite outside receivers. 

While his interception total may not jump off the stat sheet, his consistency in tight coverage and low completion percentage allowed against him reflect his overall impact. Against SEC competition, Cisse has demonstrated the ability to stay attached to receivers vertically and make plays on the ball when opportunities arise. 

Off the field, Cisse’s decision to declare early for the draft underscores the confidence he and his advisors have in his readiness for the next level. He has shown maturity and leadership during his time in two Power Five conferences, and his rising draft stock suggests that teams view him as a long-term contributor in pro defenses. 

Strengths

Elite Man Coverage Skills

Tracks routes in tight coverage and shows sticky alignment at the line. 

Explosive Athlete

Speed, burst, and hip fluidity allow him to mirror receivers and close on the ball. 

Press-Man Physicality

Uses jams and timing disruption to derail receiver routes. 

SEC Experience

Consistent production against top-tier competition enhances pro projection. 

Ball Skills and Impact Plays

Capable of creating turnovers and contested play opportunities. 

Weaknesses

Ball Production Volume

Interception totals are modest relative to coverage disruptions. 

Zone Coverage Nuance

Can continue refining spatial awareness in deep zone rotations.

Run Support Consistency

Tackling near the line and run support work can be improved.

Press Dependence

Heavy reliance on press coverage means he can be challenged by sophisticated releases.

Conclusion

Brandon Cisse blends elite press-man prowess, explosive athletic traits, and experience against elite competition into a draft résumé that has attracted the attention of scouts. His competitive quickness and coverage versatility give NFL teams a blueprint for how he can contribute early and grow into a boundary shutdown role at the next level. 

Draft Nation currently views Cisse as a late Round 1 or early Round 2 selection, with many draft boards projecting him as a first-round pick depending on how he performs in pre-draft testing and positional drills. In the right system, Cisse has the tools to become a trusted NFL starter who can take away top receivers and anchor a secondary for years to come. Pittsburgh Steeler Joey Porter, Jr., is a viable comparison to Cisse with his long arms, physicality and athleticism.