Gamecocks pro day participants hoping for more “South Carolina Panthers”

While Emmanwori was a big part of the reason so many teams descended on Columbia this week, there was plenty of intriguing talent on hand, such as defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway. The younger brother of former Chiefs wide receiver Junior Hemingway, Tonka said his brother’s advice was to just be himself in each interaction. So on Tuesday, that was his goal.

“I really, I feel like I did really good from my head up, you know, meeting wise, and then also, showed my athletic ability so that I can play at this level,” he said.

Linebacker Demetrius Knight, who had a stint in Charlotte with the 49ers, also drew eyes after his 82 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception season. For the sixth-year senior though, Tuesday was just another day to stack towards a future.

“Never being content with myself,” Knight said of his goal each rep, facing every day with a mindset of, “I had a day to get better from. I did things today that I can learn from, and then, you know, you get better. Days like today, we’re going to stack on that.

“We’re going to continue to stack this day Pro Day until we get drafted and then on this to the NFL.”

As pro days wind down over the next week or so, clubs will turn their attention towards team visits and final interviews. There is still much to learn and plenty unknown between now and then. But for the group walking off the field Tuesday afternoon, there was also a hope that this class of prospects could continue the trip north to Charlotte, and add to the “South Carolina Panthers.”