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COLUMBIA — South Carolina football had a successful 2025 NFL Draft.
For the first time in program history, the Gamecocks had five picks in the first four rounds. All of them were defensive players, the most in a single draft class for the program.
Nick Emmanwori started things off with the No. 35 overall pick in the second round, followed by TJ Sanders (No. 41); Demetrius Knight Jr. (No. 49); Kyle Kennard (No. 125); and Tonka Hemingway (No. 135).
As of April 28, six other Gamecocks have signed undrafted free agent contracts.
Though coach Shane Beamer lost some talent to the NFL, he has a lot that remains in Columbia, and some of his current stars will be draft eligible next year. Here are seven potential South Carolina draft picks for 2026.
LaNorris Sellers, quarterback
LaNorris Sellers, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, made headlines in 2024, throwing for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. He rushed for 674 yards (166 carries) and seven touchdowns, establishing himself as a high level, dual-threat QB. With his size, strength and speed, he’s already in the 2025 Heisman Trophy conversation.
CBS Sports has Sellers going No. 6 overall in an early 2026 mock draft.
DQ Smith, defensive back
DQ Smith has played both safety and nickel at South Carolina. He’s one of Clayton White’s best returning defenders, with 34 starts in 37 games, 164 tackles, four interceptions and 10 pass breakups. With Emmanwori gone, Smith’s role will increase, and if he meets or exceeds expectations, he could find himself in the NFL as well.
Jalon Kilgore, defensive back
Like Smith, Jalon Kilgore also has played safety and nickel and is part of White’s returning core.
Kilgore has 124 tackles and six career interceptions in two seasons. He had a breakout year in 2024, finishing with a team-high five picks, tied for most in the SEC.
If he grows and makes a big jump from 2024 to 2025 like he did from his freshman to sophomore year, he’s another defender from South Carolina who might find himself playing on Sundays.
Judge Collier, cornerback
Judge Collier, a 6-2 cornerback, had 38 tackles and eight pass breakups across two seasons. In 2024, he started all 13 games and had 23 solo tackles.
He is listed as a third-rounder in Pro Football Network’s 2026 mock draft. After a solid first two seasons, he can strengthen his draft stock with an even better 2025.
Nyck Harbor, wide receiver
All eyes were on Nyck Harbor to start the 2024 season. People had high expectations for the 6-5, 235-pound wide receiver who also ran track, believing his size and speed were enough to dominate in the SEC.
It took time for things to click football-wise for Harbor, who decided not to run track this spring. He has played in all 25 games, with 38 catches for 571 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons combined.
Fox Sports’ mock draft for 2026 has Harbor at No. 9 overall.
Oscar Adaway III, running back
Oscar Adaway III has a lot of college football experience, and with Rocket Sanders gone, 2025 will likely be his year at South Carolina. In six seasons with North Texas and South Carolina, he has rushed for 2,230 yards and 17 touchdowns.
He rushed for 295 yards on 77 carries in 2024.
Jordan Dingle, tight end
The veteran tight end transferred to South Carolina after spending four seasons at Kentucky. He has logged 43 passes for 615 yards and four touchdowns.
Players like Knight and Kennard proved that one strong season at South Carolina can be enough to get drafted, so if the 6-4 tight end connects with Sellers in 2025, he may find himself playing at the next level.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
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