From a brand and player development perspective, South Carolina flexed with five starters from Clayton White’s defense drafted. That includes three in the second round — Nick Emmanwori (No. 35 overall), T.J. Sanders (No. 41) and Demetrius Knight (No. 49) SEC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kennard, got the call in the fourth round at No. 125 while Tonka Hemingway went 10 picks later.
Seeing five players selected is a testament to quality coaching at South Carolina under Shane Beamer. Emmanwori, Sanders and Hemingway all signed with the Gamecocks as three-star recruits originally and blossomed into early draft picks. That said, that’s a ton of talent to replace on defense coming off a 9-3 season.
