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2025 NFL Combine: Simulcam overlays Nick Emmanwori beating CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson in 40-yard dash

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•02/28/25
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© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The NFL Combine is in full swing this weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana. And the nation’s top football prospects are showcasing their stuff to the prominent NFL decision makers. One player who has turned heads this week in Indy is South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. Tipping the scales at 6-3, 220 pounds, he was clocked at a blistering 4.40, an impressive time for a player his size.

The rest of the numbers for the South Carolina safety were just as impressive in Indianapolis. And quite frankly, his performance will be tough to top. He also posted a 43-inch vertical leap, to go along with a 11-6 broad jump. Not only are those measurables elite, but his game film speaks for itself.

In 2024, the gifted safety had four interceptions and three pass breakups, with zero touchdowns allowed. Emmanwori also had two pick sixes to go along with 88 tackles and three tackles for loss.

He’ll surely be one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, no question about it. In Mel Kiper’s latest NFL Mock Draft 2.0, he has Emmanwori penciled in to be selected to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 27 overall in the first round.

Matt Miller compared Nick Emmanwori to Derwin James

Before the combine, ESPN’s Matt Miller made a special comparison for Nick Emmanwori.

“Write this one down. Nick Emmanwori, the safety from South Carolina. To give you an NFL comparison, this is Derwin James 2.0,” Miller said on SportsCenter Tuesday night (February 18th). “He is 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and he looks and plays like he was created in a laboratory because at that size, he has run up to 23 miles per hour on GPS tracking. He has a 42-inch vertical jump, he has a 565-pound squat. Oh, and by the way, he can do 24 reps of 225 pounds. All those numbers are things we love to track and monitor at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“So 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.”

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this article.