Three South Carolina players earned spots on ESPN’s prestigious top 100 college football players list for the 2024-25 season, released on January 22.
Leading the Gamecocks’ representation is junior safety Nick Emmanwori, who ranked 66th on the list. Emmanwori, who had a standout season with 57 solo tackles and four interceptions, was a key figure in South Carolina’s defense, which finished 14th nationally in yards per play allowed. His 88 total tackles led the team, and his performance earned him first-team All-American honors from the AP and Sporting News. A three-year starter and a unanimous first-team All-SEC selection, Emmanwori declared for the NFL draft after the Gamecocks’ bowl loss to Illinois.
Nick Emmanwori
Following closely behind Emmanwori is freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who burst onto the scene in his first year as a starter. Sellers accumulated 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, guiding South Carolina to a 9-4 record. Sellers capped his impressive debut season with a game-winning 20-yard touchdown run in the final moments to defeat rival Clemson, ending with 3,208 total yards and 25 touchdowns. His dynamic playmaking ability caught the attention of the committee, earning him a spot on the list.
LaNorris Sellers
The highest-ranked Gamecock is senior defensive end Kyle Kennard, who had a phenomenal year. Kennard ranked among the best defensive players in the country, totaling 20 solo tackles, 11.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His performance led the SEC in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (11.5), and his sack total was the second-highest in South Carolina school history, just behind Jadeveon Clowney’s 13 sacks from 2012. Kennard won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player, and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by both the coaches and the AP.
Kyle Kennard
These three Gamecock stars are making waves as they continue to show why South Carolina’s football program is gaining recognition on the national stage.
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