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South Carolina football's 2025 NFL Draft recap

by: Kevin Miller04/27/25kevinbmiller52
South Carolian football defenders Nick Emmanwori (7) and TJ Sanders (90) (Photo: CJ Driggers | GamecockCentral.com)
South Carolian football defenders Nick Emmanwori (7) and TJ Sanders (90) (Photo: CJ Driggers | GamecockCentral.com)

South Carolina football saw five players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Nick Emmanwori came off the board first. Despite earning a lot of first-round grades in recent months, the All-American safety slipped to the second round. However, he didn’t have to wait long on Friday night as the Seattle Seahawks traded up to take him with the third pick of the round. Going 35th overall, Emmanwori was the second safety to fulfill his NFL dream.

Next up, just a handful of picks later, the Buffalo Bills snagged defensive lineman TJ Sanders with the 41st overall pick (round two, pick No. 9). Sanders earned the distinction of being the draft’s No. 6 defensive tackle. The Bills also traded up to get him.

Then, after eight more draft announcements, it was Demetrius Knight‘s turn. The veteran Gamecock heard his name called at pick No. 49 (round two, pick No. 17). The Cincinnati Bengals selected Knight and made him the fourth linebacker drafted.

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Kyle Kennard was the next South Carolina product to earn selection, but he didn’t come off the board until day three. Selected in the fourth round as the No. 125 overall pick, Kennard went to the Los Angeles Chargers. He was the 18th EDGE draftee.

Later in the fourth round, defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway began his pro career. The Las Vegas Raiders picked him at No. 135 overall (round four, pick 33). The athletic defensive tackle was No. 16 among selected defensive tackles in this year’s draft.

Several other Gamecocks were projected as NFL Draft picks, but none of them wound up getting taken. Some have already signed undrafted free agent deals or received training camp invitations. GamecockCentral will have more on those players soon.

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