Preseason award watch list includes South Carolina football starter

The 2024 version of the South Carolina football team has more potential win-loss variance than most teams. The low-end outcome for the Gamecocks is another losing season that keeps USC out of a bowl game, while a high-end result this fall is a successful season with 8 or 9 wins and competitive games throughout a difficult 12-game slate.

If Shane Beamer's team is going to take a step forward and get back to the program-building success many though was coming before the disappointing 2023 campaign, the Gamecocks will have to have some new faces step up and the team's best players excel all season.

Those "best players" on the roster have received some offseason recognition in the form of preseason all-SEC honors and inclusion on award watch lists.

The Pacific Club Impact Foundation recently released the Ronnie Lott Impact Trophy preseason watch list, and Gamecock safety Nick Emmanwori made the cut (though, he is listed incorrectly as a corner on the official press release).

The Lott Impact Trophy is named for College Football Hall of Fame inductee and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott and is given annually to the best combination of on-field excellence on defense and off-field character.

Emmanwori's inclusion on the list makes a lot of sense. The 2022 Freshman All-American had another really good season in 2023 (when he was able to play his natural position of safety, instead of nickel), and he should be expected to do it again this fall.

The Columbia-area native is a potential high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and, at 6'3"/6'4" and 220 pounds, Emmanwori already possesses elite professional safety size. His ability to play against the run could also lead to a position change at the next level if he adds any weight.

For now, though, Nick Emmanwori should be one of the top safeties in the Southeastern Conference this year, and he will be a big part of the Gamecocks' success on defense as he cements his status as one of the best safeties ever to wear a block C on his helmet.