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.
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.
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.
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
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