COLUMBIA, S.C.— Few things make the NFL dream seem closer than a pro Day. Prospects hope to be invited to the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine Game, the combine, and other prospect showcases. But pro days, always held back home on college campuses, marry the work of the last few years at college with the tantalizing idea of the future in the league.

"It's definitely great, man, just to see all the hard work and all the scouts come out here and finally watch you do what you've been training for the last three months," said South Carolina defensive back DQ Smith on Tuesday, standing on the sideline of the Gamecocks indoor practice facility.

"Just having all the guys out here support us who we played with, it's unbelievable. I'm proud of myself for that."

The day also often registers the last of the on-field work prospects do for scouts, coaches, and general managers ahead of April's draft. It's when guys can't help but start imagining the next step: a phone call, maybe even a walk across the stage.

For those who have been playing in Columbia, and especially those who grew up in the Carolinas, there is one NFL team they can't help but think of: the Panthers.

The Panthers had four players on the 53-man roster last season from South Carolina, including three starters ( Jaycee Horn, D.J. Wonnum, Xavier Legette) and one huge special teams contributor ( Bam Martin-Scott). Four of the last five offseasons, the Panthers have either drafted or signed an undrafted free agent rookie from South Carolina, while also signing more in free agency.

"Oh, that'd be nice," said Nick Barrett, the defensive tackle from Goldsboro, N.C., at the thought of playing close to home. "Especially because my hometown's 3.5 hours from Charlotte, so everybody's in driving distance. It'd be nice to have all my family come up to the games. It'll be an easier process."

A Day 3 prospect, Barrett had 42 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in his final season with the Gamecocks.

Smith grew up in Columbia before attending South Carolina. He was on the field all four years for his hometown school, picking up 228 total tackles, 12 passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

"It would be unbelievable," admitted Smith of playing for the Panthers. "My family right down the road, I have a couple of teammates that play for them as well, so just staying home, you can't never beat that."

Having so many former teammates close by has made the process easier for Smith as well, he explained.

"Oh yeah, I've talked to a lot of guys, Bam Martin-Scott, who's with the Panthers, Nick (Emmanwori) in Seattle. I talked to a lot of guys, you know, X (Legette) with the Panthers as well. Talked to those guys," said Smith. "All giving me great advice. So, just listening to those guys, taking that in, and just adding it to what I know already.

"It's a business now when you get to that league. Here, you know, it's more relaxed, but once you get to the NFL level, it's a business. You can have your your position, can be taken just like that if you're not coming in to work every day."

Then there's Brandon Cisse.

The Sumter, S.C. native who began his career at NC State before transferring to the Gamecocks has worked his way into first-round projections after spending three seasons in college, accumulating 65 tackles, 10 passes defensed in the last two years alone, a forced fumble, and two interceptions. He held quarterbacks to a completion percentage below 40 percent last season.

His pro day 40-yard dash was timed between 4.39 and 4.45.

Back during the combine, Cisse shared how he would often drive to the Panthers' home field, Bank of America Stadium, whenever he needed motivation for his NFL dreams.

He's on the precipice of that dream now, but his road trips by himself to Charlotte haven't stopped.

"Oh no, I will," said Cisse about making the trip north again soon, getting a glimpse of his future. "I'll still go back. I just got back to South Carolina a few days ago, so probably when I get back from some of these 30 visits, I'll definitely take a trip."

And in a few weeks, who knows, he or one of his Gamecocks teammates could be making the trip again, but this time with a new home on the horizon.