INDIANAPOLIS — The buzz around the NFL combine is hard to ignore, especially after the remarkable show put on by Nick Emmanwori, a strong safety from South Carolina. This exciting 2025 NFL Draft prospect made headlines on Friday night inside Lucas Oil Stadium, where he demonstrated incredible athleticism, solidifying his place as perhaps the most athletic strong safety in combine history.
Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Emmanwori clocked a lightning-fast 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, highlighted by an impressive 1.49-second split for the first 10 yards. He also soared to a staggering 43-inch vertical jump and accomplished an 11-foot-6 broad jump, numbers that put him in the 98th percentile at his position.
In terms of overall athletic performance, Emmanwori achieved a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score, a rating system that evaluates players based on various physical tests in relation to their position. This score exemplifies how historically athletic he is, indicating that he would also rank highly as a free safety or even as a cornerback.
Beyond his impressive metrics, Emmanwori has proven his skills on the field. His freshman year saw him tackle 85 opponents, while his sophomore year yielded 71 tackles along with two interceptions. As a senior, he stepped up his game again, making 88 tackles, three tackles for loss, and four interceptions, twice returning them for touchdowns. At only 21 years old, his future looks bright.
Heading into the draft, Emmanwori is currently rated as the No. 26 prospect overall and the No. 2 safety. Predictions suggest he could go as early as 18th overall to the Seattle Seahawks or 30th to the Buffalo Bills based on recent mock drafts. As the NFL prepares for another exciting draft season, the spotlight on Nick Emmanwori is sure to grow.
