Emmanwori and Sanders Earn Positions in ESPN’s Top 50 Prospects for 2025 NFL Draft

In a live feed update, I’m bringing you the latest from ESPN’s Jordan Reid, who recently released his updated rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft. With the draft just around the corner, set for late April, several South Carolina players are on the radar, including two Gamecocks who made Reid’s list of top 50 prospects.

At No. 33, Reid placed Nick Emmanwori, a safety known for his physicality and sharp instincts on the field. Emmanwori’s ability to cover well, along with his knack for making plays with six interceptions over the last two seasons, has put him in a strong position for the draft. Reid highlighted Emmanwori’s “rugged, physical” style, emphasizing that while he will be an asset in run defense, he’ll need to work with a creative defensive coordinator who can maximize his skill set. Reid also noted that Emmanwori could test well at the combine.

Not far behind, T.J. Sanders secured the No. 34 spot on the list. Sanders, a defensive tackle, played a crucial role in South Carolina’s dominant defensive front. His agility and quick hands helped him dominate one-on-one matchups, and his “2.40-second average time to first pressure” made him the fastest among all defensive linemen in the FBS. Reid praised Sanders for his strong leverage and ability to get to the ball fast, adding that Sanders will need to bulk up and improve his consistency against double-teams as a run defender.

In his three years with the Gamecocks, Emmanwori racked up 244 tackles, 17 pass breakups, and six interceptions. His standout year came in 2024, when he totaled 88 tackles, six pass breakups, and four interceptions. As for Sanders, his four-year tenure at South Carolina saw him record 109 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, with his most impressive performance coming in 2024 with 50 tackles, seven for loss, and four sacks.

In addition to the overall rankings, Reid also updated position group rankings. He placed Sanders as the No. 5 defensive tackle and Emmanwori as the No. 2 safety, with Demetrius Knight Jr. also making a mark as the No. 3 linebacker.

Clearly, these Gamecocks are making waves, and we’ll be watching closely as the draft draws near.

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South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart Selected Very Early in One-of-a-Kind NFL Mock Draft

With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, sports media outlets are full of mock drafts, each with different predictions. Earlier this week, Fox Sports’ Rob Rang presented a unique mock that included all college football players, regardless of draft eligibility. In this mock, the first pick was Ohio State’s standout true freshman receiver, Jeremiah Smith.

This approach led to some surprising selections, including South Carolina’s EDGE Dylan Stewart being picked eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers. Stewart made a significant impact during his freshman year with his explosive playstyle, frequently disrupting opposing backfields. Rang compared him to Gamecock legend Jadeveon Clowney, noting that Stewart is “surprisingly polished for a true freshman.” Despite having only one season of play, Rang believes Stewart would make an immediate impact in the NFL, thanks to his impressive build and unmatched wingspan.

While the scenario is hypothetical, it’s clear that Stewart’s standout freshman year has caught the attention of scouts and evaluators at the next level. Although his selection in this particular mock may have been a surprise, it’s widely expected that he will be a top-ten pick when he declares for the draft and become a key player in the NFL for years to come.