A star player for Clemson’s in-state rival confirmed his 2025 plans on Tuesday.
Following South Carolina’s 21-17 loss to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl, Gamecocks defensive back Nick Emmanwori confirmed he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft. The junior told David Cloninger of the Post and Courier that Tuesday’s game was his final one in a South Carolina uniform.
Emmanwori only played a half in the Citrus Bowl and then sat out the second half, which is what he planned to do. Of course, that’s what Miami quarterback Cam Ward opted to do in the Hurricanes’ Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State.
Nick Emmanwori tells me he told his coach he was only going to play a half.
Then confirms he’s gone to the NFL. “That was my last game.”
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) January 1, 2025
Nick Emmanwori confirmed with @DCPandC that he is off to the NFL and said he would only play one half.
Before that, Shane Beamer said “internal team matter. Not gonna discuss it” and Jalon Kilgore also said Emmanwori was leaving.@wachfox pic.twitter.com/WPqztIRUrb
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) January 1, 2025
A first-team All-American by multiple outlets in 2024, Emmanwori finishes his South Carolina career having posted 244 tackles, 17 pass breakups, six interceptions and two touchdowns. He had a team-high 83 tackles during the regular season and is tied for second among SEC players with four interceptions in 2024.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. currently ranks Emmanwori as the second-best safety prospect in the 2025 draft class behind Georgia’s Malaki Starks.