COLUMBIA, S.C. — Junior safety Nick Emmanwori has been named a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award which is presented to the nation's top defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association.
The Irmo graduate leads the SEC and is tied for fifth in the country with four interceptions and he is one of three players in the country with a pair of pick-sixes – at Kentucky and at Oklahoma.
Currently the Gamecocks’ leading tackler in 2024 with 49 stops including 33 solo tackles, Emmanwori was recently named one of 16 quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Award.
Emmanwori had a more than solid freshman campaign and he has continued to develop as an outstanding defensive back to the point where he is being mentioned as someone who is expected be on a number of NFL Draft boards.