NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah is one of the best NFL analysts in the game. The former NFL scout has been a fixture during the NFL draft for more than a decade. Now, in what was his first post-declaration deadline mock draft, Jeremiah includes two South Carolina football products in his projected first round.
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The two most common gamecocks for the first round are TJ Sanders and Nick Emmanwori. Analysts called Sanders a potential first-round pick after the preseason. Emanveri worked his way into early consideration thanks in part to his All-American production this fall.
Jeremiah followed recent trends and listed Emanueiri as South Carolina’s first star off the board. He listed the athletic safety No. 20 overall to the Denver Broncos. If taken in the first round, Emmanwori would be the first USC safety taken early in team history. Jeremiah compared Emmanwori to All-Pro Los Angeles Chargers Safety Derwin James because of his size and coverage ability. The Columbia native led the Gamecocks in tackles and defensive tackles in 2024.
Then, with the penultimate pick of the first round, Jeremiah projected Sanders to go to the Philadelphia Eagles. No. 31 overall, Sanders will be the Gamecocks’ first first-round defensive pick since 2020, when Javon Kinlaw went No. 14 to the San Francisco 49ers. Jeremiah was really impressed with Sanders’ film and wrote that he thinks the former Carolina star will fit in well with the Eagles’ loaded and versatile defensive line. The Palmetto State product led USC’s defensive tackles in sacks and tackles for loss the past two seasons.
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Two other South Carolina football scholarships have picked up some buzz from other outlets.
Linebacker Demetrius Knight earned a first-round grade from PFF earlier this week. However, most outlets view him as a third, fourth or fifth rounder. He has the size and athleticism to be a great pro.
Edge Kyle Kennard is the other. While expected to come off the board in the second or third round, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner snuck into several first-round projections. He could play defensive end (4-3) or outside linebacker (3-4) at the NFL level.
Emanvery, Sanders, Knight and Kennard won’t be the only Gamecocks to hear their names called in April’s NFL draft. South Carolina’s all-time record for selections in a single draft is seven (made in both 2009 and 2013). They could challenge that number this spring.
The 2025 NFL Draft will be held from Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26. ABC, NFL Network and the ESPN Family of Networks will cover the draft festivities.
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