South Carolina’s Tonka Hemingway delivers great news for the Gamecocks
After days of the transfer portal claiming a smattering of reserves, with the occasional starter (WR Juice Wells, K Mitch Jeter), perhaps the most-important defensive player to date shared some news Sunday night.
And it’s really good news for the South Carolina football program.
“RUN IT BACK,” senior defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway posted to Instagram, indicating he’ll return for one more season with the Gamecocks.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive tackle was solid for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks this season, recording 32 tackles and 4.5 TFLs. But it was a step back from what he did as a junior, when he racked up 4 sacks and 8 TFLs.
Perhaps the most-memorable highlights of Hemingway’s career at South Carolina came in his final few games. Against Jacksonville State, Hemingway took a handoff at the goal line and barreled into the end zone. Two weeks later against Kentucky, he snatched a batted ball for the game-sealing interception.
Originally a three-star prospect, Hemingway took visits to Clemson, North Carolina and South Carolina before becoming a part of what would be coach Will Muschamp’s final signing class in 2020.
As a true freshman, Hemingway made an impact from the jump, seeing action in the season-opener before eventually playing in 10 games that season.
Twelve Gamecocks have been reported to have plans to enter the transfer portal, which officially opens Monday. Defensive back Kajuan Banks on Sunday became the latest USC player to say he intends to transfer.
Hemingway joins punter Kai Kroeger in announcing his intentions to return to South Carolina in 2024.
This story was originally published December 3, 2023 at 8:29 PM.
