Nick Emmanwori embracing leadership role in South Carolina's secondary
Coming off an All-American season in his freshman year, expectations are high for South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori.
Starting in 12 of 13 games as a true freshman, Emmanwori was literally thrown right into the mix during Week 1 against Georgia State. He was forced to learn on the go and handled it as well as one could’ve hoped he would. Now, he’s looking to take his game to that next level while helping his teammates along the way.
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“I do consider myself a leader,” said Emmanwori. “Year two, coach (Torrian) Gray, coach (Clayton) White, coach (Shane) Beamer, (Derrick Moore), they came to me and told me I need to step up and lead the young guys. Even though I’m a sophomore, they kind of see me as an older guy because of my overall play last year.”
Last season, the Irmo native led the Gamecocks in total tackles with 85. He also had 62 solo tackles, which was also a team high. His play earned him multiple All-American honors from outlets including On3, ESPN, PFF, The Athletic, and CFN. Although he has just one season of college football under his belt, he feels that he’s already noticing a difference in his game.
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“This training camp has been going real good as far as like how I’ve come from my freshman year. My freshman year was wild, a little bit. You’re going through stuff, trying to get the formations down, trying to get the playbook down. But I feel like this year, I know what I am doing. I know the coverage (and) I can lead a little bit (differently as well). I can put people in positions to make plays. Communicate with the linebackers, the D-line so that the whole defense is rolling into place.”
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A lot of that comfortably comes from working with South Carolina defensive backs coach Torrian Gray. A coach who is looking to help Emmanwori grow both physically and mentally this season.
“I’ve been talking to coach Gray and he’s coached a lot of great players. Kam Chancellor (former nine-year NFL safety and Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks) is one of the guys he told me I remind him of. He was telling me (to have) elite focus and elite preparation coming into each week… Football is a game of highs and lows and he wants me to stay steady.”
