South Carolina lands four players in three-round mock draft

South Carolina football is holding its Pro Day today, where 25 Gamecocks will showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and decision-makers. Many of these players have real NFL Draft aspirations, and strong performances today could help turn those aspirations into reality.

For a deeper look into the players and a Pro Day preview, check out GamecockCentral’s Mike Uva for a breakdown.

As the Pro Day unfolds, Tankathon released its latest NFL Draft mock, which features four South Carolina players. These four Gamecocks all participated in the NFL Combine last month and are set to further demonstrate their skills at Pro Day today.

The highest-ranked Gamecock in Tankathon’s mock is All-American defensive back Nick Emmanwori, who is projected to be selected at No. 13 overall by the Miami Dolphins. If this projection holds, Emmanwori would be the first safety off the board in the draft. His stock has surged since his standout performance at the NFL Combine, with many experts following suit in moving him up their rankings.

TJ Sanders, a versatile defensive lineman, is projected to go at No. 59 to the Baltimore Ravens in the second round. Sanders has the ability to play both defensive tackle and as a large defensive end in the Ravens’ 3-4 scheme. He is listed as the eighth defensive tackle in Tankathon’s mock.

The third South Carolina player on the list is EDGE rusher Kyle Kennard, who is projected to be taken at No. 75 by the San Francisco 49ers. If Kennard is drafted by the 49ers, he would join a long line of South Carolina players selected by the franchise, with Kennard being the eighth Gamecock drafted by the team since 2011. His pass-rushing abilities, highlighted by his Nagurski Trophy win, could see his draft stock rise further after a strong showing at Pro Day.

Linebacker Demetrius Knight rounds out the list of Gamecocks in Tankathon’s mock, projected to go at No. 84 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Knight has seen his draft stock soar in recent months, with his size and speed making him an elite linebacker prospect. Another solid performance today could see Knight continue to climb draft boards.

South Carolina is poised to break its record for most players drafted in a single year. In 2009 and 2013, seven Gamecocks were selected, and this year’s Pro Day performance could help surpass that mark.

In addition to Emmanwori, Sanders, Kennard, and Knight, several other South Carolina players are generating significant NFL Draft buzz. Rocket Sanders, a running back, and O’Donnell Fortune, a cornerback, have appeared in nearly every mock draft. Josh Simon, a tight end, and Tonka Hemingway, a defensive lineman, have also garnered attention as late-round picks. If all eight of these players are drafted, or if a few more Gamecocks sneak into the later rounds, South Carolina could set a new draft record.