Nick Emmanwori

Nick Emmanwori
Emmanwori with the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2023
No. 3  Seattle Seahawks
PositionSafety
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2004-02-07) February 7, 2004
Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolIrmo (Irmo, South Carolina)
CollegeSouth Carolina (2022–2024)
NFL draft2025: 2nd round, 35th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Tackles81
Pass deflections11
Interceptions1
Sacks2.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nicholas Ovundah Eze Emmanwori (Eh-man-WORE-ee; born February 7, 2004) is an American professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. Emmanwori had a very productive rookie year and came in 2nd for DROY. He won Super Bowl LX.

Early life

Emmanwori was born on February 7, 2004, in Greensboro, North Carolina, as the youngest of five brothers[1] to Nigerian parents. He moved to Irmo, South Carolina when he was 7, and later attended Irmo High School.[2][3] As a senior, he was listed as a 3-star recruit. Emmanwori committed to play college football at the University of South Carolina over offers from Georgia Southern and UNC Charlotte.[4][5]

College career

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 would record 11 and 14 tackles against Arkansas and Georgia respectively.[7] As a true freshman in 2022, Emmanwori would emerge 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]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+18 in
(1.91 m)
220 lb
(100 kg)
32+12 in
(0.83 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
6 ft 6+14 in
(1.99 m)
4.38 s 1.49 s 2.57 s 43.0 in
(1.09 m)
11 ft 6 in
(3.51 m)
20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[12][13]

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, Emmanwori recorded two tackles for loss, a sack, a blocked field goal, and his first career interception.[15][16] Emmanwori had five total tackles in Super Bowl LX, a 29–13 win over the New England Patriots.[17]

References

  1. ^ Eig, Jonathan (January 27, 2026). "Nick Emmanwori's mom predicted Seahawks' Super Bowl berth long before it happened". 12th Man Rising. FanSided. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  2. ^ McGranahan, Hale (June 15, 2021). "Irmo target set to return after strong camp performance". 247Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  3. ^ McGranahan, Hale (November 26, 2024). "Emmanwori gives back to local families, just in time for Thanksgiving". 247Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  4. ^ "Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina Gamecocks, Safety". 247Sports. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Elsey, Jacob (July 2, 2021). "South Carolina football: Nick Emmanwori commits to Gamecocks". Garnet and Cocky. FanSided. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  6. ^ Macheca, Joe (December 7, 2022). "How Nick Emmanwori earned Freshman All-American honors". On3. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "Nick Emmanwori embraces 'next man up' mentality on Gamecocks' defense: 'The moment's not too big for him'". The Daily Gamecock at University of South Carolina. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  8. ^ Lyon, Andrew (September 12, 2022). "South Carolina Finds Unheralded Star In Nick Emmanwori". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  9. ^ Jones, Alex (December 20, 2022). "Confidence helps Emmanwori turn in stout freshman season". 247Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  10. ^ "2022 SEC All-Freshman Football Team Announced". secsports.com. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  11. ^ "Emmanwori, Kennard Earn Spots on AP All-America Team". University of South Carolina Athletics. December 16, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  12. ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Nick Emmanwori Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  13. ^ "Nick Emmanwori College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  14. ^ Horton, Ari; Boyle, John (April 25, 2025). "Seahawks Select Safety Nick Emmanwori With 35th Overall Pick". Seahawks.com. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  15. ^ Benintendi, Connor (December 7, 2025). "Nick Emmanwori calls Seahawks defense 'historic' after monster game vs. Falcons". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  16. ^ "Nick Emmanwori snags his first NFL interception in Week 14 of his rookie season". NFL.com. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  17. ^ "Super Bowl LX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 8th, 2026". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 15, 2026.