Some people refer to this time of year as “list season.” The time between the official end of spring practice across the country in May and the beginning of fall camp in August is loaded with lists. Media outlets put out their “top”-whatever lists, recruits cut down their lists of favorite schools, and award committees release their preseason watch lists. South Carolina football has seen a number of its athletes included on some of these preseason watch lists in the last several days.
Long snapper Hunter Rogers was named a nominee for the preseason Patrick Mannelly Award watch list given to the nation’s top long snapper each season. Quarterback Spencer Rattler and wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells were both placed on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list for the most outstanding player in college football (usually on offense).
Now, South Carolina football has another watch list inclusion in the form of Freshman All-American Nick Emmanwori. Emmanwori is one of 94 defensive players to be included on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award.
The Nagurski Award is named after Hall of Fame defensive tackle/fullback Bronko Nagurski and is given annually to the top defensive player in college football. The award has been given since 1993.
The Gamecocks’ latest nominee for the Nagurski Award, Emmanwori was one of the top safeties in the SEC in 2022 as the summer enrollee in last year’s 2022 recruiting class was ready to play as soon as he stepped on campus.
Emmanwori is one of the best athletes on the team as his high top-end speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash) and strength (6’4″, 220-pounds) allow him to play sideline to sideline as an elite tackler from the secondary. His length and general athleticism also are factors in the passing game, and if he can take a step up in that regard, he could become one of the best defenders in the country.
No South Carolina football player has ever won the Nagurski Award.