By Thomas Grant Jr.
Former Irmo and University of South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori is turning heads already at the next level.
Last Friday in Indianapolis, he put together one of the best performances at the NFL Combine. From recording a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash and posting a 43’ vertical left to scoring 10 out of 10 on the RAS (Relative Athletic Score), Emmanwori finished with the highest grade ever recorded by a strong safety.
Only one safety has ever recorded a 10.00u RAS, and that hasn’t happened since 2001.
“I do think I am one of the fastest. Top three, maybe top five for sure,” Emmanwori told reporters a day before taking the field at the NFL Combine, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. “I don’t think you’ve ever seen a safety like me. Well, there are a lot of dudes that came through this league, but a safety like me hasn’t come through this league for a long time. My size, my speed, my ability.”
Emmanwori was a three-year starter for the Gamecocks, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2022. He totaled 244 tackles, six interceptions and 11 pass breakups during his college career.
Currently draft speculation has Emmanwori as a solid first-round pick. He was one of a school-record 11 South Carolina players invited to the NFL Combine.
He’s scheduled to take part in the March 18 NFL Pro Combine at the University of South Carolina. Those other former Gamecock players expected to participate include Kamaar Bell, Davis Beville, Dalevon Campbell, Terrell Dawkins, Gilber Edmond, O’Donnell Fortune, Tonka Hemingway, Alex Herrera, Alex Huntley, DeAndre Jules, Kyle Kennard, Demetrius Knight Jr., Kai Kroeger, Gage Larvadain, Vershon Lee, Bam Martin-Scott, Juju McDowell, Hunter Rogers, Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, T.J. Sanders, Joshua Simon, Torricelli Simpkins III, David Spaulding, and Debo Williams.
(Photo courtesy of the University of South Carolina athletic communications)
