How all the Gamecocks fared at the 2025 NFL Combine
Perhaps the best indication of the improvement of development and talent acquisition at South Carolina is the fact the program had 11 players invited to the NFL Combine. Dating back to 2012, the Gamecocks had never sent more than seven to the event in Indianapolis.
It seems possible that South Carolina could best the modern-age program record for most draft picks in a year (USC had seven draft picks in 2009 and 2013).
The Gamecocks’ star of the week was safety Nick Emmanwori, who stole the show on Friday. The Irmo High product was posting such ridiculous numbers that the NFL Network commentators constantly reminded viewers that he measured in at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds.
At the moment, Emmanwori is the only Gamecock showing up consistently in mock drafts as a first-round selection, but there’s still time for others — notably defensive tackle TJ Sanders and defensive end Kyle Kennard — to perhaps jump into the first-round mix.
All participants and the Gamecocks who weren’t invited to the combine — LB Debo Williams, RB Juju McDowell, LS Hunter Rogers, etc. — will have a chance later in March to perform in front of NFL teams at South Carolina’s on-campus Pro Day.
Until then, let’s take a look how each Gamecock fared at the NFL Combine.
Nick Emmanwori, safety
- Height/weight: 6-3, 220
- 40-yard-dash time: 4.38 seconds (No. 2 among all safeties)
- Broad jump: 11’ 6” (No. 1 SAF)
- Vertical jump: 43” (No. 1 SAF)
- Three-cone drill: DNP
- Bench press: 20 reps (No. 1 SAF)
Notes: The Irmo alum put together one of the best combine performances in recent memory. Per NBC Sports, he’s the only safety in the history of the combine to run a sub-4.4-second 40, post a vertical over 43 inches and a broad jump over 11 feet. He all but solidified himself as a first-round pick.
O’Donnell Fortune, corner
- Height/weight: 6-1, 185
- 40: DNP
- Broad jump: 9’ 9” (T-18 CB)
- Vertical jump: 32.5” (T-16 CB)
- Three-cone drill: DNP
- Bench press: DNP
Notes: South Carolina’s top cornerback in 2024, the Sumter native was fantastic for the Gamecocks, picking off three passes — not including a few that were called back. It was interesting that he didn’t run his 40, but expect him to do so at pro day. He should be a day-three pick.
Demetrius Knight, linebacker
- Height/weight: 6-2, 235
- 40: 4.58 seconds (No. 7 LB)
- Broad jump: 9’ 10” (T-9 LB)
- Vertical jump: 31.5” (No. 15 LB)
- Three-cone drill: 7.12 seconds (No. 3 LB)
- Bench press: 22 reps (No. 3 LB)
Notes: A transfer from Charlotte, Knight came to USC for his final collegiate season and turned into a fan favorite. Lauded for his leadership, he was also incredible in pursuit and finished with 82 tackles. Oh, he also came up with one of the biggest plays of the year, picking off Clemson QB Cade Klubnik to seal the Palmetto Bowl win.
Bam Martin-Scott, linebacker
- Height/weight: 6-2, 231
- 40: 4.63 seconds (No. 12 LB)
- Broad jump: 10’ 2” (No. 6 LB)
- Vertical jump: 33.5” (T-11 LB)
- Three-cone drill: 7.26 seconds (No. 5 LB)
- Bench press: DNP
Notes: There was some thought that Martin-Scott would get another year of eligibility. Instead, the versatile linebacker will put his name in the draft after recording 67 tackles in 2024. Earlier in his career, he would played mostly in 3-3-5 packages but evolved into a impactful linebacker.
Kyle Kennard, defensive end
- Height/weight: 6-4, 254
- 40: 4.73 seconds (No. 14 DE)
- Broad jump: DNP
- Vertical jump: DNP
- Three-cone drill: DNP
- Bench press: 23 reps (No. 10 DE)
Notes: Arguably the best defensive player in America, Kennard transferred from Georgia Tech to South Carolina and had one of the best seasons in school history. After recording 11.5 sacks, Kennard is expected to be a day-two pick. It’s a little surprising his 40 time wasn’t better after watching how fast he got off the ball last year.
T.J. Sanders, defensive lineman
- Height/weight: 6-4, 297
- 40: DNP
- Broad jump: 9’ 4” (T-7 DT)
- Vertical jump: 31.5” (T-11 DT)
- Three-cone drill: 7.70 seconds (No. 7 DT)
- Bench press: DNP
Notes: Projected to go day two, there’s a chance Sanders is the second Gamecock drafted this year. An incredibly physical lineman in the trenches, Sanders had over 90 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
Tonka Hemingway, defensive lineman
- Height/weight: 6-3, 284
- 40: DNP
- Broad jump: 9’ 4” (T-7 DT)
- Vertical jump: 32” (T-8 DT)
- Three-cone drill: 7.36 seconds (No. 2 DT)
- Bench press: DNP
Notes: Probably a day-three prospect, Hemingway performed well in the drills he participated in. He had a heck of South Carolina career, appearing in 61 games over five years while recording 112 career tackles and 17.5 tackles for loss.
Deandre Jules, defensive lineman
- Height/weight: 6-4, 316
- 40: DNP
- Broad jump: DNP
- Vertical jump: DNP
- Three-cone drill: DNP
- Bench press: DNP
Notes: Jules, who transferred from Pitt to USC ahead of the 2024 season, didn’t do any of the measured drills. He will likely wait for Pro Day.
Josh Simon, tight end
- Height/weight: 6-4, 239
- 40: 4.65 seconds (No. 2 TE)
- Broad jump: 10’ 4” (No. 2 TE)
- Vertical jump: 38” (No. 2 TE)
- Three-cone drill: 7.22 seconds (No. 6 TE)
- Bench press: DNP
Notes: After becoming South Carolina’s best pass-catcher in 2024, hauling in 40 passes for over 500 yards and seven touchdowns (all team highs), Simon showed out at the combine. Yet, with a stacked tight end group, it’s not clear if Simon will get drafted.
Rocket Sanders, running back
- Height/weight: 6-0, 217
- 40: 4.46 seconds (No. 14 RB)
- Broad jump: DNP
- Vertical jump: 36.5” (No. 11 RB)
- Three-cone drill: DNP
- Bench press: DNP
Notes: It’s a loaded year for running backs, which isn’t great news for Sanders. But after running for nearly 900 yards as a senior, he should hear his name on day two. His 40 time was solid for a running back weighing almost 220 pounds, especially considering how good Sanders is at running through contact.
Torricelli Simpkins III, offensive lineman
- Height/weight: 6-5, 312
- 40: 5.60 seconds (No. 29 of 29 OL)
- Broad jump: 9’ 2”(T-12 OL)
- Vertical jump: 29” (T-19 OL)
- Three-cone drill: DNP
Notes: A transfer from North Carolina A&T this offseason, Simpkins proved to be one of South Carolina’s best and most-consistent offensive linemen. He started all 13 games at right guard., but is listed as a center on the combine website. Might have a chance to go in one of the later rounds.
Kai Kroeger, punter
Notes: While Kroeger wasn’t technically invited to the combine, he was a late addition to the NFL Specialist Showcase and got to punt in front of coaches on Wednesday. He told Gamecock Central he excelled, saying: “From what I know, I had the highest hang time. It was 5.4 seconds, from what scouts have told me.”
He has a shot at getting drafted following a remarkable South Carolina career that included 61 games and 265 punts.
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
