South Carolina Football NFL Draft Hub: All-Time Picks, Scouting Reports, Projections, and More

Following a recent resurgence, the South Carolina football program is set to produce a number of next-level athletes in 2025 and beyond. With the 2025 NFL Draft upon us, find everything you need to know for the Gamecocks this season, including scouting reports, their full list of prospects, projections, and real-time landing spots as they happen.

South Carolina Football Draft Prospects

• Nick Emmanwori, S
• T.J. Sanders, DT
• Kyle Kennard, EDGE
• Demetrius Knight Jr., LB
• Raheim Sanders, RB
• Tonka Hemingway, DT
• O’Donnell Fortune, CB
• Joshua Simon, TE
• DeAndre Jules, DT
• Torricelli Simpkins III, OC
• Gage Larvadain, WR
• Kai Kroeger, P
• Gilber Edmond, EDGE
• Bam Martin-Scott, LB

South Carolina Football Scouting Reports

Nick Emmanwori, S

Nick Emmanwori is one of the rarest safety talents to enter the NFL. He has the build of a linebacker but the movement skills of a compact free safety. The NFL covets speed and size at every defensive position, and Emmanwori fits the bill more than most.

With a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and a 43″ vertical jump, Emmanwori arguably had the greatest testing performance ever by a safety in Indianapolis. NFL teams have been burned by super-athletes at safety before, and to be clear, Emmanwori needs to improve his run support diagnosis and trigger before he can be a true multi-level weapon.

Nevertheless, his explosiveness is lethal as a click-and-close defender, and he has the coverage mobility and half-field vision to play two-high or big-nickel, as well as the catch-point proactivity and physicality to produce in that hybrid role. Usage is key, but his ceiling is incredibly high.

T.J. Sanders, DT

In a pretty deep defensive tackle draft class, T.J. Sanders has managed to stand out as one of the more enticing players in the group. A powerful 3-technique defensive tackle who also brings some juice as a penetrating 1-technique, Sanders appears to have the strength and improving technique to hold his own in NFL trenches.

With solid overall quickness and an improving arsenal of moves to shed blocks, Sanders was a true impact player for South Carolina in 2024. He’s an effective run defender who brings enough pressure as a pass-rusher to entice NFL teams. There’s still some room for Sanders to grow, as his pad level is a pretty consistent issue with his game.

He’s shown development as a technician, but he still could use a little more work utilizing counter moves and taking on down blockers. Overall, he’s a high-floor run defender with good pass-rush upside to hone.

Kyle Kennard, EDGE

Kyle Kennard has plenty of traits to like. He has a lean frame with compact mass and excellent length. He’s also an explosive athlete with quickness, speed, and agility. As a pass rusher, Kennard primarily wins with his length and burst. He’s at his best when lined up wide, allowing him to use his quick get-off to beat offensive tackles around the edge and finish with his length.

Kennard’s best attribute is his length. He uses it effectively to keep his frame clear and flashes a well-timed, efficient punch. He has a solid dip-and-rip move, and his combination of burst, length, and mass also shows up as a speed-to-power boon.

Kennard is a bit high-hipped, which can reduce his maximum bend capacity, and he can better apply his power in run defense, but he’s a productive pass-rusher with an exciting developmental skill set.

Demetrius Knight Jr., LB

Demetrius Knight Jr. is a seasoned linebacker with a robust frame and notable arm length, bringing extensive experience from tenures at Georgia Tech, Charlotte, and South Carolina. His adeptness in reading plays allows him to position himself effectively, while his strength and hand technique enable him to shed blockers and disrupt offensive schemes.

Knight’s versatility is evident in his ability to contribute both in coverage and as a blitzer, showcasing a well-rounded skill set. However, concerns regarding his age and agility may impact his draft stock.

Overall, Knight’s maturity, football intelligence, and physicality make him a compelling prospect for teams seeking a dependable linebacker, and his explosiveness testing showcases the dynamic downhill flair he provides on top of everything else.

Tonka Hemingway, DT

Tonka Hemingway is a powerful, disruptive defensive lineman with a quick first step and a relentless motor. He excels at penetrating gaps and creating interior pressure, using active hands and natural leverage to shed blockers. Hemingway plays with strong instincts and can shift across the line, offering scheme versatility.

He holds up well against the run, anchoring with a sturdy base and flashing the ability to disengage and make plays in the backfield. However, his pad level can rise at times, limiting his explosiveness, and he doesn’t always finish plays cleanly. Refining his technique could unlock more consistency in his production.

2025 Draft Projections for South Carolina

Based on the last seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from College Sports Network’s James Fragoza, the following Gamecocks’ players were selected:

• Nick Emmanwori, S
  Round 2, Pick 39; Chicago Bears
• T.J. Sanders, DT
  Round 2, Pick 59; Baltimore Ravens
• Kyle Kennard, EDGE
  Round 2, Pick 61; Washington Commanders
• Demetrius Knight Jr., LB
  Round 4, Pick 120; Tennessee Titans
• Tonka Hemingway, DT
  Round 6, Pick 196; Detroit Lions
• O’Donnell Fortune, CB
  Round 7, Pick 236; Houston Texans

South Carolina Historic Draft Picks by Year

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