South Carolina Football: Six Gamecocks Named to Athlon’s Preseason All-SEC Squads

Six University of South Carolina football players have been named to Athlon Sports’ 2024 SEC all-conference teams in its preseason magazine, it was announced today. Three defensive players, defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway, linebacker Debo Williams, and safety Nick Emmanwori, were pegged for the second team. Running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders was a third-team selection, while offensive lineman Vershon Lee and punter Kai Kroeger earned spots on Athlon’s fourth-team preseason All-SEC unit.

Standout Players

Hemingway, a 6-3, 295-pound “super” senior from Conway, S.C., has appeared in all 48 games over the past four seasons with 17 starts. Williams, a 6-1, 235-pound senior from Symrna, Del., earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2023 after leading the Gamecocks with 113 tackles, including 9.0 tackles for loss. Emmanwori, a 6-3, 218-pound junior from Irmo, S.C., was a Freshman All-American in 2022. Sanders, a 6-2, 225-pound senior transfer from the University of Arkansas, was a first-team All-SEC pick by the AP following the 2022 season. Lee is a versatile 6-3, 320-pound redshirt senior from Woodbridge, Va., who has appeared in 38 games in his career. Kroeger, a 6-4, 213-pound “super” senior returns for his fifth year as the Gamecocks’ punter.

Upcoming Season

The Gamecocks open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 when they host the Old Dominion Monarchs in a 4:15 pm kick at Williams-Brice Stadium. Athlon Sports’ 2024 SEC all-conference teams can be found HERE. For ticket information, please click HERE

South Carolina Football: Six Gamecocks Named to Athlon’s Preseason All-SEC Squads