Tag: Nick Emmanwori

In a crucial move, the Kansas City Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on Trey Smith, which may significantly impact their cap space for retaining other important free agents, including safety Justin Reid. While General Manager Brett Veach should certainly prioritize re-signing Reid, the team may need to explore more budget-friendly options, potentially eyeing the 2025 NFL Draft to fill this gap.

One standout name emerging in the draft conversation is South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. Standing an imposing 6’3 1/8’’ and weighing 220 pounds, Emmanwori brings an impressive combination of size and athleticism, with 32 1/2’’ arms to match. His versatility on the field was evident during his time with the Gamecocks, where he was deployed in various coverage roles: single-high safety in Cover 1, two-high safety in Cover 2, middle hook, off-man coverage against the slot or tight ends, and also in the box.

At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Emmanwori put on an electrifying performance. According to Next Gen Stats’ historical Combine tracker, his 43’’ vertical jump ranks as the sixth-best among all safeties since 2003. His 11’6’’ broad jump tied for fourth, while he also blazed a 4.38 40-yard dash and posted a 1.49 10-yard split. This 10-yard split ties with Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter, who was a high school track standout, for the fastest of the year’s Combine.

With his rare blend of height, speed, and strength, Emmanwori presents an intriguing prospect at safety. While his range as a single-high safety may not be elite, his agility and ability to change direction quickly make him a force in coverage. He accelerates swiftly to his top speed, whether covering ground in deep coverage or moving downhill.

Emmanwori’s football IQ shines through as he reads quarterbacks and anticipates route breaks, often undercutting throwing lanes with his impressive jumping ability to contest jump balls. However, he does have a tendency to bite on intermediate route fakes, leaving him vulnerable to over-the-top throws. Some natural tightness in his hips can also limit his fluidity at times.

Where Emmanwori truly excels is in the box or when playing downhill. His ability to diagnose the run and close in quickly on ball carriers is exceptional, and his power makes him a nightmare for tight ends trying to block him. He consistently delivers strong, reliable tackles, showing a keen sense for when to strike.

In sum, Emmanwori’s athleticism and coverage flexibility are rare, especially for a player of his size. Few safety prospects from the past decade possess the combination of traits he brings to the table.

This scouting report originally appeared on Chiefs Wire.

South Carolina All-American Nick Emmanwori is one of 12 Gamecocks showcasing their talent this week. The dynamic safety took to the podium on Thursday and displayed a high level of confidence as he prepares for Friday’s on-field workouts.

When asked by the media which NFL player he models his game after, Emmanwori didn’t hesitate to name Ravens All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. “I’m 6-3, 223 (like Hamilton),” Emmanwori said. “I’m a bigger dude, and I can run. So, like, I’m not really scared to go make tackles, I’m not scared to cover any slots, I’m not scared to cover any tight ends.”

Hamilton, a two-time All-Pro, is widely regarded as one of the most versatile safeties in the NFL. Emmanwori, similarly, brings that versatile skill set to the table.

Over his three years at South Carolina, Emmanwori led the Gamecocks in tackles twice and finished second in tackles-per-game during another season. In his final 15 games, he totaled six interceptions. Like Hamilton, Emmanwori has shown he can perform in various roles — from playing deep safety to being in the box, covering the slot at nickel, or even guarding wide receivers.

But Emmanwori wasn’t finished making bold statements. Projected by some to be the top safety in this draft class, he believes he should go early in April’s draft. “I don’t think you’ve ever seen a safety like me…with my size, my speed, and my ability,” he declared. He went on to add, “Growing up I used to play corner, so my footwork is probably the best of this safety class.”

As one of the fastest players on the Gamecocks’ roster in recent years, it wasn’t surprising when the media turned their attention to his 40-yard dash. Emmanwori confirmed that he plans to participate in the combine’s workouts on Friday and confidently predicted a 4.3-second time. “4.3,” he said without hesitation. For context, that would be faster than Hamilton’s 40-yard time at the combine, where he ran in the 4.5 range.

Emmanwori’s unwavering confidence is a hallmark of his football journey, and it’s clear why. His impressive career, combined with a strong showing at the NFL Combine, positions him as one of the top prospects heading into the draft.

If Emmanwori hears his name called in the first round, he’ll make history as only the second South Carolina safety ever selected that high. The first was combo safety/corner Rick Sanford, who was taken 25th overall by the New England Patriots in 1979.

NFL Draft Watch – Nick Emmanwori’s Rising Stock

South Carolina’s standout safety, Nick Emmanwori, whose NFL draft stock is skyrocketing after an impressive 2023 season. ESPN’s Matt Miller, in his latest two-round mock draft, predicts Emmanwori will be selected No. 30 overall, but he believes the former Gamecock could rise even higher, with the potential to enter the Top 20 after a strong performance at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.

Miller, in his analysis, drew a bold comparison between Emmanwori and Derwin James, the Los Angeles Chargers star who earned second-team All-Pro honors last season. Miller stated, “Nick Emmanwori, the safety from South Carolina… To give you an NFL comparison, this is Derwin James 2.0.” Emmanwori, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds, boasts extraordinary athleticism for his size. According to Miller, he has been clocked running up to 23 miles per hour, a 42-inch vertical jump, and has lifted a staggering 565 pounds in the squat. He’s also completed 24 reps of 225 pounds – impressive numbers that Miller believes will catch the attention of NFL scouts at the Combine next week.

Miller went on to express his excitement, “I’m hoping and praying we get to see a full workout from the South Carolina true junior, who I think has a shot to be a Top-20 pick in this year’s first round once it’s all said and done. He is an ideal fit for so many teams that need that answer for tight ends and mobile quarterbacks at the safety position.”

Looking back at Emmanwori’s performance this past season, he was a key pillar of South Carolina’s defense, earning first-team All-American and All-SEC honors. His numbers speak for themselves: 88 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions, including two pick-sixes. These standout performances have undoubtedly placed him among the most talked-about defensive prospects ahead of the draft.

As for his draft evaluation, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted that Emmanwori’s tape could vary depending on the game. He’s a physical powerhouse, but Zierlein mentioned that Emmanwori doesn’t always show a “first to the action” mentality in run support. When he does ramp up his intensity, however, he’s a force to be reckoned with, displaying excellent sideline-to-sideline tackling and run-stopping ability.

Zierlein continued, “He’s capable of playing over the top, inside the box or even matching up with pass-catching tight ends. He’s upright with average transition fluidity in coverage, but he has great recovery speed and uses his length to throw a blanket over the catch point. He has NFL traits and talent, so a boost in urgency could take him from a good starter to a great one.”

With Emmanwori’s athleticism and versatility, along with his potential to be a key player against tight ends and mobile quarterbacks, it’s clear he’s a rising star in this year’s draft. Expect a lot of eyes on him at the Scouting Combine as teams look to assess his fit for their defense.