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Four South Carolina Gamecocks in three-round NFL Draft mock

by: Kevin Miller04/08/25kevinbmiller52
South Carolina defensive duo TJ Sanders and Nick Emmanwori. Photo by: CJ Driggers | GamecockCentral
South Carolina defensive duo TJ Sanders and Nick Emmanwori. Photo by: CJ Driggers | GamecockCentral

South Carolina football fans should have a busy NFL Draft weekend at the end of the month. The Gamecock Faithful will need to tune in to the entire draft this year, as USC could be in line to set a new program record for total players selected. (The previous mark is seven, set in both 2009 and 2013.)

In Tankathon’s latest three-round mock draft, four Gamecocks saw their names in the top 100 picks.

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First, safety Nick Emmanwori continues earning first-round grades. According to Tankathon’s update, the All-American Gamecock could come off the board at pick No. 24 to the Minnesota Vikings. Future Hall of Fame safety Harrison Smith is in Minnesota but is nearing the end of his playing days.

Tankathon predicts defensive lineman TJ Sanders will be the second South Carolina product selected. The outlet has the Kansas City Chiefs taking the All-SEC defensive tackle with pick No. 63. If taken with the late second-round pick, he would reunite with former USC teammate Darius Rush with the Chiefs.

Linebacker Demetrius Knight is the third Gamecock in Tankathon’s mock three-round draft. If their prediction proves true, he will be the draft’s No. 74 pick. The Carolina Panthers own that selection, meaning Knight wouldn’t have to go far to begin his pro career. Currently, former Gamecocks Jadeveon Clowney, Jaycee Horn, DJ Wonnum, Xavier Legette, and Rico Dowdle are set to play for the Panthers in 2025.

Slotting in at No. 86 to the Los Angeles Chargers, EDGE Kyle Kennard also made the mock draft. The Nagurski Trophy winner had a great final season in college football with Carolina, and if he winds up with the Chargers, that could continue. Their hybrid 3-4 defense likely would use Kennard as a pass-rushing outside linebacker.

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With four additional rounds and many NFL hopefuls declared from USC, the Gamecocks should see anywhere from six to ten players selected in this year’s draft.

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24th to April 26th in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The three-day even will broadcast on NFL Network, ABC, and the ESPN family of networks. The ESPN app and NFL.com also will stream the festivities.

Thursday’s opening night will feature just round one of the draft. Friday will include rounds two and three. Then, Saturday’s finale will see the rest of the draft (rounds four through seven) conclude the 2025 NFL Draft.

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