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Insider's 2025 NFL Draft projections for South Carolina's top prospects: Expert previews T.J. Sanders, Nick Emmanwori and more

Shane Beamer enters his fourth season as head coach of South Carolina, but he has delivered little more than records slightly above .500.

The program can boast the final pick of the first round from this most recent draft, and while there are no top-30 picks presently on the roster, the team does have several outstanding defensive prospects.

South Carolina 2025 NFL Draft Preview

#1 T.J. Sanders

The Gamecocks are strong on the defensive line, and junior T.J. Sanders is a quick, explosive interior lineman who could make a big move up draft boards.

At times Sanders looks like a one-man wrecking crew; watch the Georgia game from last season, where he was unstoppable and had his way with the talented Bulldogs offensive line.

T.J. Sanders - Source: Imagn
T.J. Sanders - Source: Imagn

Then Sanders goes for long streaks where he will disappear. If he plays every game the way he did against Georgia, or 75% of the snaps in such a manner, Sanders will be a top-60 pick.

#2 Nick Emmanwori

You cannot help but notice Nick Emmanwori watching the South Carolina game film, as he is a linebacker-sized safety who roams the field making plays.

Nick Emmanwori - Source: Imagn
Nick Emmanwori - Source: Imagn

Emmanwori is very physical, but he’s also instinctive and doesn’t make mental errors. He’s not a pure center fielder, yet he has enough ball skills and range to line up as a zone safety.

#3 DeAndre Jules

DeAndre Jules takes his game to USC after a career year playing at Pittsburgh. Jules is a nice-sized defensive tackle at over 320 pounds, yet he’s athletic and agile.

DeAndre Jules - Source: Imagn
DeAndre Jules - Source: Imagn

He’s a bit of a late bloomer, having been a reserve at Pittsburgh until last season, so Jules will need to build upon the momentum he started last season if scouts are to believe he’s more than a flash in the pan.

South Carolina's 2025 NFL Draft projections by Tony Pauline

NFL Prospects from South Carolina

Grade

Rnd

Pos

Full Name

Yr

#

3.79

3rd

DT

T.J. Sanders

4Jr

90

3.68

3rd

S

Nick Emmanwori

3Jr

7

3.58

3-4

DT

DeAndre Jules

6Sr

99

3.34

6th

ILB

Demetrius Knight Jr.

6Sr

17

3.33

6th

RB

Raheim Sanders

4Sr

5

3.32

6th

CB

O'Donnell Fortune

5Sr

3

3.29

7th

WR

Gage Larvadain

4Sr

7

3.28

7th

DT

Tonka Hemingway

5Sr

91

3.26

FA

ILB

Darryl Williams

5Sr

0

3.15

FA

TE

Joshua Simon

6Sr

6

3.12

FA

C

Torricelli Simpkins III

5Sr

76

3.06

FA

TE

Brady Hunt

4Jr

80

3.03

FA

DE

Kyle Kennard

5Sr

5

3.03

FA

G

Vershon Lee

5Sr

53

3.01

FA

OLB

Bam Martin-Scott

6Sr

22

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