South Carolina duo named to first All-American team
On Saturday, South Carolina football defensive duo Kyle Kennard and Nick Emmanwori were named to their first (but likely not their last) All-American team. The Reese’s Senior Bowl—a showcase in which Kennard and fellow Gamecock Demetrius Knight have already committed to play in this winter—named them to their Defensive All-American team.
Kennard, who is among the national leaders in sacks and tackles for loss, is in his first and final year with the Gamecocks after transferring in from Georgia Tech. Emmanwori, who joined Kennard on the USA Today All-SEC team earlier this week, is a junior who could return for one more season or head to the NFL.
Both Kennard and Emmanwori are expected to make multiple All-American teams before this offseason ends.
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From the South Carolina Athletics press release:
Edge rusher Kyle Kennard and safety Nick Emmanwori have been named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl All-America team, it was announced today.
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Kennard, a 6-5, 254-pound senior from Atlanta, Ga., posted 15.5 tackles for loss including 11.5 sacks during the 2024 season. Both marks led the conference. He was also credited with 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Kennard is a finalist for both the Lombardi and Nagurski Awards and was named to the USA TODAY All-SEC team. He has also accepted an invitation to play in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Emmanwori, a 6-3, 227-pound junior from Irmo, S.C., led the Gamecocks with 83 tackles, 10th in the SEC this season, including 3.0 tackles for loss. He logged an SEC-leading four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Emmanwori was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Award. and was named to the USA TODAY All-SEC team earlier this week.
The SEC Coaches All-SEC team will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10, the AP All-SEC team will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and the AP All-America team will be announced on Dec. 16.
