How Nick Emmanwori earned Freshman All-American honors
Nick Emmanwori was expected to play this season for South Carolina, but one drive into the game he was thrust into a starting role.
RJ Roderick was injured a few plays into the Georgia State game, and Emmanwori slid seamlessly into that role en route to earning Freshman All-American honors from On3 this week.
And, looking into the Pro Football Focus (PFF) numbers, it’s easy to see why.
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Emmanwori’s best quality is his ability to get to the football. He led the team in tackles with 78, which was 13 better than the next best. His overall PFF tackling grade was 78.9.
Emmanwori’s best tackling game was against Arkansas where he logged 12 and earned a 90 grade from PFF. His best game overall was against Georgia State with a grade of 75.2.
Emmanwori was really good against the run in his debut season as well. PFF gives him an 81 grade for run defense.
In his 356 snaps in coverage, Emmanwori averaged 10.4 yards per reception. His coverage grade does not tell the whole story at 60.6. He allowed a total of 12 receptions when he was targeted in six games.
Emmanwori’s final stat line for his freshman season is 78 tackles in 13 games with one forced fumble.
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The Irmo standout, who largely flew under the radar until late in his high school career, burst onto the scene as a freshman.
By the time he graduated, Emmanwori was an On3 Consensus four-star recruit with a grade of 89.93. The Irmo (S.C.) product chose to stay home and it’s been paying dividends in his first year.
Even as he enrolled there was debate on where Emmanwori would play–linebacker or defensive back–and Torrian Gray ultimately won out. It seems to be working a year into things.
Emmanwori took his opportunity and never looked back. He was an ironman for the Gamecock defense. On average he logged 60 snaps a game, discounting the Tennessee game.
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The On3 All-Freshman team
Offensive Team
QB: Conner Weigman – Texas A&M
RB: Nick Singleton – Penn State
WR: Barion Brown – Kentucky | Tetairoa McMillan – Arizona | WR Antonio Williams – Clemson
TE: Colston Loveland – Michigan
OL: Kelvin Banks – Texas | Will Campbell – LSU | Blake Miller – Clemson | Tyler Booker – Alabama | Emery Jones – LSU
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Defensive team
DL: Deone Walker – Kentucky | Mason Graham – Michigan
EDGE: Mykel Williams – Georgia | Gabe Jacas – Illinois
LB: Abdul Carter – Penn State | Jaishawn Barham – Maryland
CB: Will Johnson – Michigan | Benjamin Morrison – Notre Dame
S Malaki Starks – Georgia | Nick Emmanwori – South Carolina
