Shane Beamer Praises Player Dedication and USC’s Development as Gamecocks Gear Up for NFL Combine

On Tuesday, South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer joined Jay Phillips and Elijah Campbell on 107.5 The Game’s The Postgame Show. Beamer had plenty to discuss, but his focus largely centered on his team’s development for the NFL.

Beamer expressed his pride in the fact that the Gamecocks are sending 11 players to the NFL Combine, but he was quick to give credit to the players themselves. “First, credit to them and the way they worked when they were here,” Beamer said. “We’re really, really proud of what our guys have accomplished.”

While acknowledging his players, Beamer also took time to reflect on how his program has successfully prepared them for the next level. After briefly mentioning 2024 NFL Draft prospects Xavier Legette (expected to be a first-round pick to the Carolina Panthers) and Marcellas Dial (projected as a sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots), Beamer turned his focus to 2025.

“And to now have 11 guys at the NFL Combine, along with others who aren’t at the Combine but will still get opportunities with NFL teams, that’s what it’s all about,” Beamer declared. “And to have so many other guys getting that opportunity this year, whether they came here out of high school and developed—like TJ Sanders, Tonka Hemingway, and Boogie Huntley—or were only here for one year–like Kyle Kennard, Rocket Sanders, and D Knight–I’m just so happy for all of them,” he added. “I’m so proud that we were able to help them chase their dreams here.”

The Gamecocks have a diverse group of players headed to the NFL Combine. Some, like Nick Emmanwori, TJ Sanders, O’Donnell Fortune, and Tonka Hemingway, were signed out of high school and have drawn attention from NFL scouts. Others, such as Kennard, Knight, and Rocket Sanders, transferred in and have only spent one year at South Carolina, yet still expect to hear their names called in the draft. Bam Martin-Scott and Debo Williams, who transferred earlier, also have hopes of being selected in the later rounds.

These nine players aren’t the only Gamecocks with a chance to be drafted this year. South Carolina has over 15 players with legitimate NFL aspirations. Eleven players (or twelve, counting punter Kai Kroeger, who was invited to the NFL Combine Specialist Showcase) will be in Indianapolis this week for the Combine, with several others on the radar of professional scouts.

The current record for NFL Draft selections by South Carolina is seven, a mark they achieved in both 2009 and 2013. The 2025 draft, however, could surpass that total.

Based on various mock drafts and big boards, players like Emmanwori, TJ Sanders, Kennard, Knight, Rocket Sanders, and Fortune are all but guaranteed to be selected. Hemingway and Simon are also trending as late-round picks. Meanwhile, Martin-Scott, Kroeger, DeAndre Jules, and Torricelli Simpkins will aim to boost their draft stock at the Combine this week. Players like Williams and Huntley could further boost their chances with strong performances at South Carolina’s pro day in March.

The success of Beamer’s staff in developing talent from both high school recruits and transfer portal additions is a compelling selling point for the team’s recruiting efforts. The Gamecocks’ representation at the NFL Combine, coupled with their players’ future draft positions, will only bolster these efforts.

As the NFL Combine kicks off, fans can follow the action on NFL Network and NFL.com, with coverage starting Thursday. GamecockCentral will also keep fans updated on the latest developments from Indianapolis. Be sure to follow their NFL Combine Headquarters for live updates!