Gamecocks Send Fifth-Highest Number of Players to NFL Combine, Tied for Second-Highest in SEC

Breaking news from the 2025 NFL Draft cycle! The South Carolina Gamecocks are making a historic impact at the NFL Combine, sending an impressive 11 players to the event. This marks the fifth-most players from any school and ties for second among SEC teams, further proving the growth and talent within the Gamecock program.

In an unprecedented achievement, South Carolina is sending 11 players to the NFL Combine for the first time in school history. The players invited are:

• Rocket Sanders (RB)
• Josh Simon (TE)
• Torricelli Simpkins (IOL)
• Tonka Hemingway (DT)
• DeAndre Jules (DT)
• Kyle Kennard (EDGE)
• T.J. Sanders (DT)
• Demetrius Knight (LB)
• Bam Martin-Scott (LB)
• Nick Emmanwori (S)
• O’Donnell Fortune (CB)

This historic feat highlights a major milestone for Gamecock football, showcasing the program’s continued development of talent destined for the NFL. Coach Shane Beamer’s leadership and the team’s performance this season have placed South Carolina on the map as a growing powerhouse in the league.

The Gamecocks’ representation ties for second-most in the SEC, further solidifying their standing as one of the top programs in the conference. It also serves as a powerful recruiting tool, showing prospective players that South Carolina is a reliable pipeline to the NFL.

While this success is certainly worth celebrating, there have been some notable exclusions. Linebacker Debo Williams, a standout on defense, and punter Kai Kroeger, who was key on special teams, were surprisingly left off the invite list. Also, defensive tackle Alex Huntley was another player many believed deserved an invite after his strong performance. Nonetheless, the 11 Gamecocks heading to Indianapolis prove the program is developing top-tier talent that can compete at the highest level.

Looking ahead, the Gamecocks’ performance at the NFL Combine signals a bright future. With more and more players advancing to the pros, South Carolina is steadily building a reputation as a program that develops NFL-caliber talent. For future recruits, this is a clear message that they will have the opportunity to reach the next level and potentially make history.

The 2025 NFL Combine is set to be a showcase for South Carolina’s next generation of stars, as these athletes display their skills and prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft. The future of Gamecock football is looking extremely promising.