South Carolina Gamecocks set to make draft history across multiple sports

South Carolina Gamecocks fans have had the privilege the last couple of years to watch some of the very best talents ever to wear garnet and black. Players across the athletic department have led their teams and themselves to accolades and awards. This year, though, the University of South Carolina could make some history.

Never before in USC history have South Carolina football, South Carolina baseball, South Carolina women’s basketball, and South Carolina men’s basketball all had a first-round draft pick in the same calendar year. That could be changing in 2025.

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Sure, there have been years in which two sports (and, even three) have been represented by first-rounders. But the Gamecocks have a very real possibility of seeing all four sports with a player drafted early.

For football, four different Gamecocks have earned at least one first-round grade during the pre-draft process. However, Nick Emmanwori is the one with the most realistic chance of hearing his name called in the top 32. The All-American safety posted one of the best NFL Combine performances of all-time and seems locked into the first round. Defensive lineman TJ Sanders has picked up several first-round grades, but he should come off the board in the second or third round. A couple of outlets have liked EDGE Kyle Kennard and linebacker Demetrius Knight as high picks, as well, but they seem much more likely as second, third, or fourth-round selections. The football program also should break their all-time record for players selected in a single draft (seven, set in both 2009 and 2013).

On the baseball diamond, right-handed slugger Ethan Petry has earned first-round projections for years. Since a dominant freshman campaign in 2023, the outfield/first base prospect has seemed destined to become a top pick. He’s having his best offensive season so far in 2025, further helping his draft stock. Both right-handed pitcher Eli Jerzembeck and infielder Nolan Nawrocki have received some high projections earlier in their careers, but neither seem likely as first-round selections at this point.

For Dawn Staley’s South Carolina women’s basketball squad, guard Te-Hina Paopao could go in the first round. The sharpshooting senior has added to her game and picked up All-SEC honors for the second consecutive year. The WNBA Draft’s first round has just 12 picks, but Paopao’s name is a common one in the back half of mocks. Redshirt junior point guard Raven Johnson could leave school early and has earned WNBA Draft hype, as well. However, she hasn’t made a public decision on her future and hasn’t featured as high in recent draft projections.

On the men’s basketball side of things, Columbia native Collin Murray-Boyles might be the “safest” first-round pick. Universally projected as a top-30 selection, some analysts even predict a lottery selection for Murray-Boyles. His elite defensive tools and efficient offensive production pair nicely with still untapped potential. NBA Draft decision-makers have plenty to like both in proven ability and projectable talent with CMB.

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South Carolina has had first-round picks in three of these four sports just once. Back in 2020, the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings selected Gamecocks Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Ty Harris, respectively. Then, Javon Kinlaw went 14th overall to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Draft. Pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski went in the first round (as a compensation pick) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB Draft later that summer. In 2024, Kamilla Cardoso (WNBA), Xavier Legette (NFL), and Devin Carter (NBA) all earned first-round picks. However, Carter transferred out of USC and finished his college career elsewhere before being drafted.

This year’s WNBA Draft will be on April 14th. The NFL Draft will start on April 24th. Then, the NBA Draft is scheduled to begin on June 25th. Finally, the MLB Draft will begin on July 13th.

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