Could South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori Be the Missing Link in Baltimore?

CBS Sports' Lance Zierlein believes Gamecocks safety Nick Emmanwori could be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Nick Emmanwori (7) intercepts a pass intended for Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver J.J. Hester (13) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With the Super Bowl almost upon us, it's officially mock draft season as all eyes are on the incoming crop of talented college players, who are looking to hear their names called in late April. The Gamecocks have a number of players that are expected to go early on in the draft, but one in particular is being viewed among the best of his peers.

Nick Emmanwori enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the best safety prospects in the class. Often grouped with Georgia's Malaki Starks and Notre Dame's Xavier Watts, Emmanwori is consistently talked about as a first round pick.

CBS Sports' Lance Zierlein dropped his latest mock draft and predicted Emmanwori to land with the Baltimore Ravens to pair with superstar safety Kyle Hamilton. Here's what Zierlein had to say about the Gamecocks' safety: "This ascending prospect is built like a Greek god and offers a rare blend of size, speed and ball skills. Like Ravens star Kyle Hamilton, Emmanwori can man either safety spot and has the instincts to make impact plays on the back end."

Hamilton, a two time NFL All-Pro at the safety position, is the anchor on one of the best defenses in the National Football league. Adding a backend talent like Emmanwori, who plays a similar style to Hamilton, would give the Ravens one of the best duos in football.

A lot can change with trades and free agency set to take play before April's draft date, however as we get closer to the Tennessee Titans being on the clock, it appears Emmanwori is beginning to race up draft boards across the league.

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