Good morning. The NFL Draft starts today! ICYMI Darius Rush talked about the anticipation of waiting for this life-changing weekend and what the moment his phone rings might feel like.

What else is cooking in today's Brew?

🏀 Welcome home
🚀 Out of this world
🤙 And much, much more

🎥 GAMECOCKS+

Big Hat Day. Head down to the field with an all-access pass to the Garnet & Black spring game! We mic'd up senior receiver Ahmarean Brown throughout the game.

You'll enjoy pre-game, in-game, and post-game moments with Brown as your guide! Bonus: His team won!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Welcome Home. Te-Hina Paopao is officially a Gamecock as Coach Dawn Staley welcomed the Oregon transfer this week. Paopao is a proven scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game with 51 double-figure scoring games out of her 77 career outings. Paopao, a three-time All-Pac 12 honoree, hits from beyond the arc 38.0 percent of the time and brings two years of eligibility to Columbia.

🔼 Out Of This World. Former Gamecock and current Cincinnati Reds prospect TJ Hopkins just sent a ball into orbit. Hopkins crushed a 468-foot homer for the Louisville Bats that may have yet to come back down to Earth.

​🔼 Go Pro. Brea Beal is putting in the work already after being drafted by the Lynx! We're tired just watching this workout.

And speaking of the draft, check out this awesome round-up of the best draft reactions from former Gamecock and basketball stars around the game.

​🔼 Stopped Cold. Gamecock pitcher Chris Veach is on the Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List! The award is given every year to the best relief pitcher in D1 baseball and Veach is making quite a case. In 14 appearances, he's posted a 1.53 ERA, four saves, 25 strikeouts, and a .136 opponent batting average. He tallied two saves against No. 3 Florida.

🤔 GAMECOCK TRIVIA

Three Strikes, You're Out. Kip Bouknight's jersey retirement ceremony is slated for tomorrow night. He's the all-time Gamecock leader in career strikeouts. How many batters did Bouknight K during his career?

Think you've got it? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the right answer!

📬 STICK WITH US

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🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 457

Bouknight, who wore No. 14 in the Garnet & Black, will see his jersey decorate the outfield wall next to those of Gamecock legends Ray Tanner and Earl Bass.

Have a good Thursday, y'all.