The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone but the action doesn’t stop there. With just 257 selections and a draft pool of over 1,000 athletes, the undrafted free agent market is almost as exciting.
Which players from the South Carolina Gamecocks are set to make a splash in their new homes?
South Carolina Football Draft Picks
Below is the full list of South Carolina’s picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Included are the player, their position, their draft slot, and the NFL team that selected them.
The round and position numbers indicated are the round and overall pick numbers. For instance, 5.175 is Round 5, Pick No. 175, or 3.92 is Round 3, Pick No. 92, etc.
- Nick Emmanwori, S – 2.35, Seattle Seahawks
- T.J. Sanders, DT – 2.41, Buffalo Bills
- Demetrius Knight Jr., LB – 2.49, Cincinnati Bengals
- Kyle Kennard, EDGE – 4.125, Los Angeles Chargers
- Tonka Hemingway, DT – 4.135, Las Vegas Raiders
South Carolina Football UDFA Signings
Below is the full list of South Carolina’s undrafted free agent signings. This list will be updated as soon as signings become official.
To view every team’s undrafted free agent signings: 2025 NFL Draft UDFA Signings by School
- Bam Martin-Scott, LB – Carolina Panthers
- Alex Huntley, DT – Miami Dolphins
South Carolina Football Draft Grades
Thanks to our friends at Pro Football & Sports Network, we can take a look at how the South Carolina players were graded with their landing spots. Below is the letter grade and subsequent analysis when provided for each pick. All without analysis will be listed below.
Nick Emmanwori NFL Draft Grade
- Round 2, Pick 35
Nick Emmanwori, S | Seattle Seahawks
Grade: B-
This is a Mike Macdonald-coded move, as the Seahawks traded up to acquire one of the most talented pure athletes in the 2025 NFL Draft. Nick Emmanwori was ranked outside my top 50, so this is still fairly rich for him, but his best chance of success would come with a creative defensive mind, and that’s exactly what Macdonald is.
It’s worth noting that Emmanwori doesn’t fill an immediate need, either. The Seahawks were set at safety with Coby Bryant and Julian Love, but Emmanwori could fill in nicely as a big-nickel defender with some rotational split-field ability.
He’s an incredibly natural coverage defender for his size and flashes elite closing speed and terse physicality coming downhill. He needs to improve his overall instincts and run-support ability, but the upside is high.
T.J. Sanders NFL Draft Grade
- Round 2, Pick 41
T.J. Sanders, DT | Buffalo Bills
Grade: B
It was a near-consensus belief that the Bills would invest in the interior defensive line early in the 2025 NFL Draft. They ended up trading up in the second round and taking South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders – an ascending player with an appealing two-phase, three-down skill set.
At around 6’4”, 297 pounds, with over 33” arms, Sanders has a sturdy profile for interior work. Despite his average mass, he’s very hard to uproot in run defense with his strong anchor and lower body, and he has the explosiveness, lateral range, and prying strength to win 1-on-1 as a pass rusher.
He’s a bit stiff in the midsection, and his consistency is still coming along, but he’s a worthwhile investment for Buffalo at this stage.
Demetrius Knight Jr., NFL Draft Grade
- Round 2, Pick 49
Demetrius Knight Jr., LB | Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: C+
The Bengals doubled up on defensive picks in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting South Carolina’s Demetrius Knight Jr. with their second-round selection. Knight should file in well as a SAM linebacker, and he could ultimately become an ideal replacement for Germaine Pratt when the latter moves on.
At 6’2”, 235 pounds, with over 32” arms, Knight has a dense, compact frame and exceptional length when taking on blocks, and he’s an explosive, hard-charging aggressor coming downhill. He can deconstruct extensions and make tackles, and his athletic makeup lends well to his short-zone upside.
Knight is a solid player, but the Bengals passed up an opportunity to shore up an interior offensive line that’s in dire need of upgrades.
Kyle Kennard NFL Draft Grade
- Round 4, Pick 125
Kyle Kennard, EDGE | Los Angeles Chargers
Grade: B
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year arrives to a Chargers defense that doesn’t have much in the way of long-term stability on the edge. Joey Bosa was released this offseason, while 34-year-old Khalil Mack returned on a one-year deal. As such, Kyle Kennard is a nice investment in the future.
Kennard led the SEC with 11.5 sacks as a fifth-year senior, a huge breakout after he had 13 sacks his first four seasons combined. At 6’4” and 254 pounds, Kennard possesses prototypical size to play 3-4 OLB, and his 34-inch arms allow him to swat passes and get into the chest of offensive tackles. He might be a designated pass rusher early on, but that holds plenty of value for a rookie.
Tonka Hemingway NFL Draft Grade
- Round 4, Pick 135
Tonka Hemingway, DT | Las Vegas Raiders
Grade: C+
After addressing their offense early and often, the Raiders turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball. Las Vegas is relatively strong on the defensive line, led by Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, and Malcolm Koonce, but their depth is severely depleted.
Tonka Hemingway is a strong athlete who has a basketball background and used to be an edge rusher. He has an explosive first step and showed that he has the versatility to play multiple positions on the defensive front.
However, he lacks elite size and power, which could limit his versatility at the next level. Still, his athletic traits are enticing for a defense that needs more disruptive playmakers.
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