Pair of South Carolina football stars ranked among best defensive linemen in America

Recently, College Football Network released their top-25 player rankings for each position on the field. South Carolina football fans likely will have some gripes with the rankings as deserving players like Rocket Sanders (running back), Vershon Lee (center), and Nick Emmanwori (safety) were snubbed from the rankings altogether.

Two of the Gamecocks who made the cut in the rankings are Palmetto State natives who occupy adjacent jersey numbers as College Football Network included versatile defensive linemen TJ Sanders and Tonka Hemingway among their top-25 defensive tackles.

#90 on the roster, redshirt junior Sanders was ranked as the 15th-best tackle in America, and redshirt senior Hemingway (#91) was 10th on CFN's list.

The rankings should be a good omen for a Gamecock defense that many believe will be much improved in 2024. Earlier this offseason, Phil Steele ranked USC's defensive line group as the 20th-best unit in the country, and Hemingway and Sanders have found themselves all over individual player rankings and preseason all-conference teams this offseason.

Fellow veterans Boogie Huntley and Nick Barrett return to the defensive line rotation this year, and South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his staff brought in transfers DeAndre Jules (Pittsburgh Panthers) and Monkell Goodwine (Alabama Crimson Tide). The depth up front on defense is better than it has been in years in Columbia, and it should help the unit's top-2 players stay fresh and at the top of their games.

For Sanders and Hemingway, the 2024 season will be different than any other year of their respective careers. Both players will be called upon to play multiple positions as they are defensive tackles in the 4-2-5 and could play tackle or defensive end in the 3-3-5. The Gamecocks are expected to utilize both formations this fall, so the dynamic duo will have plenty of opportunity to showcase their versatility up front as they present themselves as real NFL Draft prospects.

Linebacker Debo Williams also was ranked by College Football Network, slotting into the #18 spot in the outlet's national rankings for linebackers.