Tonka Hemingway set to make South Carolina football history in Citrus Bowl
Alongside teammate Kai Kroeger, defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway is set to make some South Carolina football history. The Conway native has played in 60 games in his Gamecock career, tying him for the program record with former USC kicker Parker White. When Hemingway (and Kroeger) take the field against Illinois in the Citrus Bowl, White’s record will fall. With extra eligibility stemming from “Covid redshirts” soon to be a thing of the past, that shared record could last.
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Last week, Hemingway spoke about taking advantage of his final collegiate game.
When asked about the bowl game, the athletic defensive tackle perked up. In fact, he responded with a miniature poem. “[I’m] really excited to put on the garnet and black, play for the name on the front and the back.” After his verse, Hemingway added that he plans to “leave it all out there” on the field on Tuesday.
Playing hard is all big No. 91 has ever known. Following a standout 3-sport career at Conway High School, Hemingway has been a major part of the South Carolina football program for five seasons.
In a rotational role in both 2020 and 2021, he got his feet wet and flashed enough ability to have Gamecock fans excited about his future. Since then, he has logged nearly 100 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss. He received All-SEC honors in 2022 and 2023 and could be in line for more for the 2024 season. Hemingway set a modern USC defensive line record last season with seven passes deflected at the line of scrimmage.
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He also has made an impact on special teams and gadget plays during his time in Columbia. Showcasing his athleticism, Hemingway has logged a rushing touchdown, caught a 1st down pass, and converted a 2-point attempt. He’s displayed unselfishness, too, acting as a blocker when fellow defensive linemen TJ Sanders and Boogie Huntley had their numbers called, instead.
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The NFL Draft could come calling for Hemingway next April. The professional game has shown interest in him, and his versatility as a player who can play tackle or end depending on the situation only adds to his appeal. Several outlets project him as a day three NFL Draft selection.
But, first, Tonka Hemingway and South Carolina have some unfinished business. The Gamecocks are searching for their 10th win, something that has happened only four other times in program history. Standing in their way, though, are the BIG Ten’s Illinois Fighting Illini. Ironically, Bret Bielema’s team also is striving for the fifth-ever 10-win season. The Gamecocks and Illini will kick off the Citrus Bowl at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. ABC will broadcast the contest, and ESPN+ will stream it.
