Live from NFL Draft Watch: South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori Surges Into Top 25, Named Top Safety Prospect
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecocks have another star heading to the NFL, and his draft stock is skyrocketing. While much of the attention in Columbia was on LaNorris Sellers and the offense, the defense had its own elite playmakers—none bigger than safety Nick Emmanwori.
Now preparing for the NFL Draft, Emmanwori is making waves as one of the top defensive prospects in the class. In the latest Top 50 NFL Prospects rankings from NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, he not only cracked the top 25 but also earned the title of best safety in the draft.
NFL Scouts Love Emmanwori’s Size and Instincts
Jeremiah, one of the most respected draft analysts in the game, had high praise for Emmanwori, highlighting his versatility and playmaking ability.
“Emmanwori is a massive safety prospect with ideal instincts and ball skills,” Jeremiah wrote. “He fits best as a strong safety, big nickel, or sub linebacker. He consistently undercuts routes and takes the ball away. He had multiple pick-sixes in the games I studied.”
However, while his ability to create turnovers is a major plus, Jeremiah pointed out areas where Emmanwori can refine his game.
“He does have a little tightness in man coverage, but he has enough speed to recover,” Jeremiah noted. “When he’s aligned in the deep half, he’s not as effective—he doesn’t see/react as well at that depth. Against the run, he’s aggressive, a strong tackler on the front side, but can have some run-by misses when chasing from behind.”
A Proven Playmaker Ready for the Next Level
Throughout his time at South Carolina, Emmanwori was a consistent force in the secondary, racking up:
- 244 total tackles
- 4 tackles for loss
- 6 interceptions
His ability to be a game-changer at the college level has scouts believing he can make an immediate impact in the NFL—especially if he lands with a team that keeps him close to the action.
With draft day approaching, Emmanwori has positioned himself as a potential first-round pick, and his stock only seems to be rising.
Stay tuned—one of the best safeties in college football is ready to take over the pros!
