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Nick Emmanwori confirms he sat out second half of Citrus Bowl, plans to enter NFL Draft
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Nick Emmanwori played just 1 half on Tuesday during the Citrus Bowl. That was by design.
The South Carolina safety told reporters after the game that his plan was to play just 1 half against Illinois and then sit. He also confirmed he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft, telling The Post and Courier’s David Cloninger that Tuesday’s 21-17 loss was his final game.
While opt-outs have been a thing in the postseason for several years now, playing 1 half and sitting the other seems to be a new trend. Miami quarterback Cam Ward did the same thing last week when the Hurricanes lost to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
“It’s an internal team matter,” SC coach Shane Beamer told reporters after the game. “I’m not going to discuss it.”
The junior defensive back was on the sidelines in the third quarter, still in pads, but didn’t take the field. He went to the locker room later in the quarter. Sophomore Peyton Williams took his spot in the Gamecock’s lineup.
Emmanwori made 5 tackles in the first half. He’ll end his South Carolina career with 249 tackles, 17 pass breakups, 6 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns.
This season, he was named a first-team All-American by both the Sporting News and the Associated Press. He was also a first-team All-SEC selection. Emmanwori led the Gamecocks with 83 tackles and led all SEC players with 4 interceptions.
He is the No. 2 safety on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest big board for ESPN.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
