2 Gamecocks selected in 2011 NFL Draft

COLUMBIA (WACH) – Gamecock Defensive End Cliff Matthews was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 7th round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Matthews was one of two Gamecocks selected in the draft.

Chris Culliver was the other South Carolina player taken. The safety was selected in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers.

Matthews had 38 tackles and 4.5 sacks in the 2010 season. He’ll join former Gamecocks John Abraham and Dunta Robinson on the Falcons.

Garrett Chisholm, Tori Gurley and Weslye Saunders were other high profile Gamecocks in the draft, but were not picked.

They will have the chance to be picked up as free-agents, when the NFL lockout ends.