Javon Kinlaw is going across the country to start his NFL career but linking up with a former teammate at the same time.

Kinlaw was drafted No. 14 overall by the San Fransisco 49ers in the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft, joining former Gamecock Deebo Samuel out west.

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He becomes the highest drafted Gamecock since Jadeveon Clowney went No. 1 overall in 2014.

He'll join the NFC champion Niners who were a quarter away from winning the Super Bowl back in February.

Kinlaw is the fifth first round pick from South Carolina since 2010, joining the likes of Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Stephon Gilmore and, most recently, Hayden Hurst.

In three seasons at South Carolina, Kinlaw saw himself go from rotation defensive tackle to a first-round talent after 82 total tackles and 10 sacks.

In an All-American level season he had 35 total tackles and six sacks while forcing two fumbles.

Kinlaw is the only Gamecock expected to go in the first round this year however many other guys are going to get picked as the final two days of the draft rage on Friday and Saturday.

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The second and third rounds take place tomorrow starting at 7 p.m. with rounds 4-7 Saturday starting at noon.