Eight South Carolina football products make PFF's NFL Draft Big Board

Shane Beamer’s South Carolina football team has a realistic shot of setting a new all-time program record for players selected in the NFL Draft. About a dozen Gamecocks have had their names surface in NFL Draft mocks this offseason, so the previous record of seven (set in 2009 and matched in 2013) is in jeopardy. Last week’s Pro Day saw several players help their draft stock.

On Monday, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its updated 2025 NFL Draft Big Board. According to PFF, eight USC stars have a chance at hearing their names called this April. Just six, though, fall within the top 257, meaning, based on PFF’s rankings, Carolina’s old record is safe.

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First on PFF’s board is linebacker Demetrius Knight. At No. 33, the outlet is higher on Knight than the rest of the NFL Draft industry. However, the veteran ‘backer has an elite combination of size, speed, and intangibles that make him an intriguing option for professional organizations. Most other outlets project Knight coming off the board somewhere between the end of the second round and the middle of the fourth.

Defensive lineman TJ Sanders is next at No. 36. Sanders has earned some first-round consideration, but he’s settled into the second or early third in most predictions. At 36 on PFF’s board, Sanders’ grade equates to the early second round. The Palmetto State native has the size and athleticism to play multiple roles on a defensive line, adding to his draftability.

A surprising grade belongs to All-American safety Nick Emmanwori at No. 45. Most NFL Draft mocks include Emmanwori in the first round, even as high as the top-half of the round. Because PFF’s board relies so heavily on the outlet’s grades from the past three seasons, Emmanwori’s impressive NFL Combine performance doesn’t weigh as heavily in the projection as it likely does in reality.

EDGE Kyle Kennard sits in PFF’s No. 65 spot. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner had a huge year as the SEC’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss and moved himself from draft afterthought to a lock for selection. His stock has been up-and-down this offseason, but he could be a really good scheme fit in the right system.

The fifth Gamecock on PFF’s Big Board is cornerback O’Donnell Fortune at No. 169. Fortune doesn’t have eye-popping testing numbers, but his on-field production was borderline elite this season. He is intriguing to NFL teams because of his length and ability to play faster than his 40-time might indicate. Fortune seems like a pretty safe bet to be drafted this spring.

Defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway is No. 185 on PFF’s list. Like Sanders, Hemingway has some positional versatility up front, generating more teams’ interest in his services. The South Carolina native is an above-average athlete, too. His ability to play against the pass and against the run could help his chances.

The seventh USC product on PFF’s board is running back Rocket Sanders. Sitting just outside of the top-257 spots, PFF doesn’t have Sanders in draftable range. However, most other outlets believe someone will scoop up the All-SEC running back. Sanders has earned projections as high as the fourth round this offseason.

Punter Kai Kroeger is the final Gamecock (and final overall player) on the board. Ranking him at No. 339, PFF doesn’t expect a team to draft Kroeger, but his spot on the list indicates NFL interest in the left-footed bomber. Even if not selected in April’s draft, the All-American (deservingly) will get an NFL shot this summer.

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In addition to the eight players already mentioned, tight end Josh Simon, linebacker Bam Martin-Scott, defensive tackle DeAndre Jules, and offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins received invites to the NFL Combine and could earn draft selection next month. Dark horse draft names include wide receiver Dalevon Campbell, linebacker Debo Williams, defensive tackle Boogie Huntley, and offensive lineman Vershon Lee. Others like long snapper Hunter Rogers, wide receiver Gage Larvadain, offensive lineman Kamaar Bell, kicker Alex Herrera, EDGE/linebacker Gilber Edmond, and running back Juju McDowell could receive some post-draft interest.

This year’s NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24th to April 26th. The NFL Network, ABC, and the ESPN family of network will broadcast the event. The ESPN app and NFL.com also will make it available via streaming.

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