Nick Emmanwori

Emmanwori was born on February 7, 2004, in Greensboro, North Carolina, the youngest of five brothers^[1] to Nigerian parents. He moved to Irmo, South Carolina, when he was seven, and later attended Irmo High School.^[2][3] As a senior, he was listed as a three-star recruit.

Emmanwori committed to play college football at the University of South Carolina over offers from Georgia Southern and UNC Charlotte.^[4][5]

When Emmanwori first started at South Carolina, his coaches debated on playing him either as a linebacker or safety, ultimately choosing the latter position for him.^[6] In his first two collegiate starts, he recorded 11 and 14 tackles against Arkansas and Georgia, respectively.^[7] As a true freshman in 2022, he emerged as a key player for the Gamecocks, recording a team high 78 tackles and being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.^[8][9][10] As a junior in 2024, he was named to the All-SEC first team and was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press.^[11]

Emmanwori was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 35th pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft.^[14] In Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded two tackles for loss, a sack, a blocked field goal, and his first career interception.^[15][16] At the end of the regular season, he was named a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but lost to Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns, receiving seven first-place votes to Schwesinger's 40.^[17][18] Emmanwori had five total tackles in Super Bowl LX, a 29–13 win over the New England Patriots.^[19]