Eight South Carolina football alums make PFF NFL Draft Big Board

This week, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its updated 2025 NFL Draft Big Board. Eight South Carolina football products cracked the list.

According to PFF, linebacker Demetrius Knight, defensive lineman TJ Sanders, EDGE Kyle Kennard, safety Nick Emmanwori, cornerback O’Donnell Fortune, running back Rocket Sanders, defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway, and punter Kai Kroeger all are realistic options for selection in next April’s NFL Draft.

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Perhaps surprisingly, Demetrius Knight earned the top spot among Gamecocks. At No. 30, Knight earned a 1st round grade from PFF. The outlet is higher on the USC senior than others, but it is easy to understand why. Knight’s combination of size, speed, tackling ability, and coverage potential is rare at the linebacker position.

Next up from South Carolina is defensive lineman TJ Sanders. PFF calls Sanders the draft’s No. 35 prospect. Rated only as an interior player, the Palmetto State native spent most of his career at defensive tackle. However, his ability to play defensive end in certain situations could add to his draft value. Some other outlets project Sanders as high as the 1st round. He officially has foregone his final year of collegiate eligibility to declare for the draft.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy-winner and consensus All-American Kyle Kennard is third. The dynamic EDGE player earned the No. 55 spot in PFF’s Big Board. With the ability to play with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end or as a stand-up outside linebacker, Kennard could be a fit in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense at the next level. The South Carolina standout has earned some 1st round grades but projects most frequently in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Nick Emmanwori is next at No. 85. The All-American defensive back is the most physically-impressive safety in the draft. He can play over the top, in the box, in the slot, or even in man coverage. PFF’s grade is lower than most others for Emmanwori. He has picked up some 1st round projections. Like Sanders, Emmanwori is skipping a final year with the Gamecocks to go pro.

Then, PFF slots cornerback O’Donnell Fortune into the No. 147 spot on their Big Board. The fifth-year senior had a strong final year at South Carolina and should hear his name called during the back half of the draft. He brings athleticism and length to the table, two coveted traits among NFL corners. He used those tools to intercept seven passes during his USC career.

Running back Rocket Sanders is PFF’s No. 216-ranked prospect and the 6th among Gamecocks. Sanders posted nearly 1200 yards and 13 touchdowns in his only year in garnet and black and possesses enough size and receiving ability to become an every-down back at the NFL level if things go well for him. The All-SEC rusher should be taken late in the 2025 NFL Draft.

PFF also includes a third player from USC’s defensive line. Joining Kennard and Sanders, Tonka Hemingway made the Big Board at No. 223. An athletic tackle who also can slide out to end at times like Sanders, he has been a much more important contributor for South Carolina over the past five seasons than his statistics might indicate. Even if he slips out of the draft, Hemingway will get an NFL chance as an undrafted free agent.

The final South Carolina football product on PFF’s Big Board is punter Kai Kroeger at No. 301. The multi-time All-American is one of the top special teamers in the country and has a chance to earn a late NFL Draft selection. The draft does not have 301 picks, so if PFF’s board is accurate, he will not be drafted. However, most kickers and punters are not taken in the draft, so Kroeger’s inclusion as a possible pick is significant.

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Several other Gamecocks have realistic chances of being NFL Draft picks this spring. Specifically, tight end Josh Simon, offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins, and linebacker Debo Williams have been popular inclusions in NFL Draft mocks. Others still, like defensive linemen DeAndre Jules and Boogie Huntley, linebacker Bam Martin-Scott, wide receivers Gage Larvadain and Dalevon Campbell, offensive linemen Vershon Lee and Kamaar Bell, and long snapper Hunter Rogers are on the NFL radar, too, but they are more likely to earn professional opportunities as undrafted free agents.

This year’s NFL Draft will take place from April 25th to April 27th. ABC, the ESPN family of networks, and the NFL Network will cover the festivities.

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