How playing other sports helped a pair of South Carolina defensive linemen prepare for the NFL
South Carolina football defensive linemen TJ Sanders and Tonka Hemingway are in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine. Both big fellas are hopeful to put up some strong testing numbers on Thursday to boost their draft stock. However, the journey to the NFL Draft began long ago for the two Palmetto State natives.
In fact, though, Sanders and Hemingway spent four and five years, respectively, playing football in garnet and black, both players give credit to their work away from the gridiron in high school as playing a role in their development.
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On Wednesday, Sanders spoke to NBC’s Connor Rogers at the combine. During their conversation, Rogers asked about the Marion High School product’s basketball background. Sanders said that his time on the hardwood helped him become a better athlete, and he’s seen that most in how he gets after opposing quarterbacks.
“I feel like it has helped my pass rush the most,” said Sanders. “A lot of my inside moves come from me thinking about a crossover. Like, just getting from one point to the other, just beating your man, you know, off of a simple move.”
His time playing basketball has shaped Sanders into a more versatile football player, as well. Sanders said that he has become “a faster d-tackle” who is “quicker than most interior guys.”
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For Hemingway, football and basketball weren’t his only sports as a high school prospect. Despite being much larger than most others on the diamond, the big corner infielder and pitcher played on role on his Conway Tigers baseball squad.
When he was asked on Wednesday about his multi-sport past, Hemingway couldn’t nail down many specifics about how playing baseball and basketball helped him as a football. However, he was adamant that being a tri-sport athlete in high school was important for him. “Baseball, basketball…I feel like it all comes in one. It has helped me in this sport (football).”
During his South Carolina football career, Hemingway has had his number called on multiple gadget plays over the years. His well-rounded athleticism and hand-eye coordination helped prepare him for those moments.
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In the end, both Sanders and Hemingway made the right call to pursue football at the college level. If things go well for them (and teammates Kyle Kennard and DeAndre Jules) at the NFL Combine and South Carolina’s pro day in March, the Gamecocks could have their first NFL Draft in history with at least three full-time defensive linemen selected.
