COLUMBIA — At least 11 South Carolina football players are hoping to be drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft April 24-26.
Even with the program-record breaking number of combine invites, not every player is guaranteed to be drafted in one of the seven rounds. Some players have been projected in the top three rounds, with others in the later rounds. Some may go undrafted and sign free-agent contracts.
The draft begins on April 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC, which is available to watch on Fubo which offers a free trial.
Watch the 2025 NFL Draft on FUBO (Free trial)
Here’s a breakdown of where the latest mock drafts have many of the players getting selected:
Nick Emmanwori NFL draft projections
Nick Emmanwori, a 6-foot-3, 227-pound safety performed well at the NFL combine, finishing with a total score of 85. He scored 82 in production, 91 in athleticism and ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. His 6.41 grade (out of eight) at the combine ranked first among safeties.
The NFL’s grading scale for 6.40-6.49 says the player “Will become good starter within two years.”
TJ Sanders NFL draft projections
TJ Sanders is a defensive tackle who spent four years in Columbia, appearing in 39 games over four seasons with 16 career starts. He finished with 109 tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks before he elected to forego his final year of eligibility after the 2024 season and declared for the draft.
Demetrius Knight Jr. NFL draft projections
Demetrius Knight Jr. only spent one season in coach Shane Beamer’s system but he was impressive and a key contributor. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker finished 2024 with 82 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, two sacks and one interception. He has six years of college football experience and played in all 13 games for South Carolina.
Kyle Kennard NFL draft projections
Kyle Kennard became one of the most dominant edge rushers in his only season at South Carolina. He finished with an SEC-high 11.5 sacks and won the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defender. He had 28 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and forced three fumbles in 2024.
Tonka Hemingway NFL draft projections
Tonka Hemingway, a defensive tackle, played in all 61 games over the past five seasons at South Carolina, tied for the most games played in school history. He made 28 starts and finished his career with 17.5 career tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, 19 quarterback hurries and six fumble recoveries. Hemingway scored two touchdowns and also scored on a two-point conversion.
- ESPN: No. 167 to the Tennessee Titans (fifth round)
- The Sporting News: No. 170 to the Buffalo Bills (fifth round)
Rocket Sanders NFL draft projections
Rocket Sanders came to South Carolina for one season after playing at Arkansas where he battled through injuries. In 2024, he finished with 881 yards on 183 carries and scored 11 touchdowns. In 2022, prior to his injuries he rushed for 1,443 yards on 222 carries.
- ESPN: No. 255 to the Cleveland Browns (seventh round)
- The Sporting News: No. 241 to the Houston Texans (seventh round)
Joshua Simon NFL draft projections
Josh Simon was South Carolina’s leading receiver with 519 yards and 40 catches, scoring seven touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 259 pound tight end played four seasons at Western Kentucky and two at South Carolina.
- ESPN: No. 247 to the Dallas Cowboys (seventh round)
O’Donnell Fortune NFL draft projections
Cornerback O’Donnell Fortune spent five years with South Carolina and registered a career-high 41 solo tackles in 2024. He finished with three interceptions, three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Kai Kroeger NFL draft projections
Punter Kai Kroeger tied with Hemingway for the most games played in school history. Kroeger averaged 44.6 yards per punt in his career, which ranks second in the program’s history books. He started all five seasons and was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week six times during his career. His longest punt was 79 yards, 68 punts traveled 50-plus yards and 100 were spotted inside the 20. Kroeger finished second in SEC history with 11,823 punting yards.
South Carolina football players invited to NFL combine
Eleven players performed at the combine in February, and though linebacker Debo Williams and defensive linemen Alex Huntley weren’t invited, they are also aiming to be drafted or sign UFDAs on April 26.
Here are the remaining Gamecocks players from the combine who aren’t on draft projections
- Offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III
- Defensive tackle DeAndre Jules
- Linebacker Bam Martin-Scott
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
