Former Gamecock Javon Kinlaw was homeless and now the NFL is within reach

[Sir Purr]

Kinlaw said he and his brothers would often eat bologna or hot dogs. Sometimes oatmeal. Sometimes buttered bread.


"As long as I got food, I was cool," he said.


Before joining the Gamecocks program, Kinlaw spent a year at Jones County Junior College. It was eye-opening, to say the least.


"Fun fact, my first two days there I didn't even eat, because I didn't know where the cafe was at," Kinlaw said. "Then I didn't know the food was free, so when I found out it was free, I was going crazy."


Once Kinlaw got to South Carolina, he was put on a life-changing path to the NFL.


The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder is a disruptive force. After learning how to strike, maintain his gap and control the guys tasked with blocking him, he blossomed into one of the best defensive linemen in the SEC.


Kinlaw finished the 2019 season with 35 tackles and six sacks and earned first-team All-America honors.


"I have everything to prove. I treat myself like I'm that guy still at the bottom," Kinlaw said. "I set my goals so high this season and I feel like I didn't accomplish any of them. That's just how I am. I am looking forward to going out and getting something done (this week in Mobile).


"I wanted to have 15 sacks (in 2019). I didn't even get close."


He did more than enough to get the attention of scouts and evaluators. Yes, that includes Carolina's NFL team.


"I know they like me, for sure. A whole lot," said Kinlaw, who told reporters he met with the Panthers in Mobile. "They have some free agency guys (on the defensive line), so I definitely feel like I could go in there and make something happen."


It sounds like that will be true wherever Kinlaw winds up.


"I didn't really expect myself to even be here," Kinlaw said. "You just can't give up on yourself."