Gamecocks in the NFL: Week 1 recap

The National Football League kicked off its 2025 season with 35 former South Carolina players on NFL rosters or practice squads.

South Carolina is represented across all eight NFL divisions, but most notably in the NFC South and the Carolina Panthers, where Gamecocks take up six spots on the active roster.

Here is how every former Gamecock performed in Week 1 of the NFL season.

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AFC West

Kyle Kennard – EDGE/outside linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers

Kennard was inactive for the Chargers’ season opener against Kansas City.

Tonka Hemingway – Defensive tackle, Las Vegas Raiders

Hemingway played 24 snaps across offense, defense and special teams in the Raiders’ season opener. In addition to his work at DT, the rookie saw snaps at fullback.

Nate Adkins – Tight end, Denver Broncos

The Broncos did not activate Adkins for their season opener.

Nick Gargiulo – Guard, Denver Broncos

Gargiulo remains on the IR after tearing his ACL in the preseason. He will not return in 2025.

Adam Prentice – Fullback, Denver Broncos

The Broncos called up Prentice from the practice squad ahead of the season opener. The fullback made one reception for four yards.

Zacch Pickens – Defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs

Pickens joined the Chiefs’ practice squad after being cut by the Bears.

AFC East

TJ Sanders – Defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills

Sanders struggled in his NFL debut on Sunday night, grading 29.6 per PFF. However, the rookie made good plays in putting pressure on former MVP and Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Cam Smith – Cornerback, Miami Dolphins

Smith joined the Dolphins’ “Reserve/Non-football injury” list on Aug. 27.

Alex Huntley – Defensive tackle, Miami Dolphins

Huntley was signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad after not making the 53-man roster.

Marcellas Dial – Defensive back, New England Patriots

Dial is sidelined with a torn ACL and will not return in 2025.

AFC North

Gage Larvadain – Wide receiver, Cleveland Browns

Larvadain was inactive in the Browns’ season opener.

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders – Running back, Cleveland Browns

Sanders took only 4 percent of the snaps at running back for the Browns in the opener. However, the rookie produced his first career touchdown and three yards in his three carries.

Demetrius Knight II – Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

Knight picked up 10 tackles in his NFL debut, the fifth most by a rookie linebacker in their first career game.

AFC South

Chris Lammons – Cornerback, Indianapolis Colts

Lammons joined the Colts’ practice squad after not making the franchise’s 53-man roster.

NFC South

Jovaughn Gwyn – Center, Atlanta Falcons

Gwyn was active in the Falcons’ opener. However, the rookie did not see action on the field.

Joshua Simon – Tight end, Atlanta Falcons

Simon joined the Falcons’ practice squad after being cut from the team’s 53-man roster.

Jaycee Horn – Cornerback, Carolina Panthers

Horn made an impressive one-handed interception grab in the Panthers’ loss. The cornerback was only targeted three times, allowing one catch for seven yards.

Xavier Legette – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Legette struggled in the Panthers’ season opener, catching only three of his seven targets for 10 total yards. Nine of those yards came on one play.

Dalevon Campbell – Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Campbell joined the Panthers after being cut by the Chargers following a strong preseason. The rookie was inactive in the Panthers’ season opener.

DJ Wonnum – Outside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Wonnum failed to record a tackle in the Panthers’ season opener. However, he did pick up one pass deflection.

Rico Dowdle – Running back, Carolina Panthers

Dowdle only had five touches in his Panthers debut, coming off a 1000-yard season with Dallas. The veteran running back picked up 12 rushing yards on three carries alongside two receptions for four yards.

Bam Martin-Scott – Inside linebacker, Carolina Panthers

Martin-Scott jumped from UDFA to second team inside linebacker for the Panthers. The rookie was active in the season opener; however did not record a stat.

Israel Mukuamu – Defensive back, Carolina Panthers

Mukuamu signed with the Panthers’ practice squad on Sept. 8.

Spencer Rattler – Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Passing featured heavily in Rattler’s season-opening start, throwing 46 passes and completing 27 for 214 yards. However, none ended in the endzone. Additionally, Rattler picked up four carries for 29 yards.

Torricelli Simpkins III – Guard/Center, New Orleans Saints

Simpkins was active in the Saints opener.

Kai Kroeger – Punter, New Orleans Saints

Kroeger averaged 50.5 yards per punt in his debut with the Saints. The rookie was able to pin the Cardinals inside the 20-yard line twice, including once at their own six.

NFC North

Keisean Nixon – Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Nixon made six tackles in his first game of the 2025 season, struggling in coverage.

Kingsley Enagbare – Defensive end, Green Bay Packers

Enagbare recorded three tackles against the Lions in the first game of his fourth season with the Packers.

Vershon Lee – Guard/Center, Minnesota Vikings

Despite a strong preseason, Lee finds himself on the Vikings’ practice squad.

NFC East

Deebo Samuel – Wide receiver, Washington Commanders

Samuel made seven receptions for 77 yards in his Commanders debut alongside 19 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Javon Kinlaw – Defensive tackle, Washington Commanders

Kinlaw finished his first game with the Commanders with two tackles for loss and a QB hit. He also graded out at 86.9 in rush defense, picking up two run stops and two pressures per PFF.

Darius Rush – Defensive back, Washington Commanders

Rush joined the Commanders’ practice squad after being cut by the Cleveland Browns after the preseason.

Dante Miller – Running back, New York Giants

Miller finds himself on the Giants’ practice squad after not making the 53-man roster post-preseason.

Jalen Brooks – Wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys signed Brooks back as a practice squad player after being cut from the active roster.

NFC West

Nick Emmanwori – Safety, Seattle Seahawks

Emmanwori suffered a high ankle sprain in his NFL debut. The Seahawks are debating putting the rookie on the IR. Before leaving the game, Emmanwori picked up a tackle.

Ernest Jones IV – Inside linebacker, Seattle Seahawks

Jones grabbed an interception on a Brock Purdy throw in the third quarter against rival San Francisco. Jones also racked up eight tackles in the loss.

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