Draft Diary: Tonka Hemingway (Part 1)

Former South Carolina defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway (2020-2024) gave five solid years to the Gamecocks, earned his degree, and now he’s chasing his dream of making it to the NFL. Having earned a pair of Second Team All-SEC as well as Third Team All-SEC nods during his collegiate career, Hemingway shares his experiences playing in the Shrine Bowl and preparing for the NFL Draft in April.

Tonka’s Draft Diary (Part 1)

“The last few weeks have been about focusing on details, little techniques and being efficient – getting in and out of cuts and movements. It’s also about doing more to understand the game. That’s where you can take another step. I’m doing my training in Pensacola, Florida. I watch a lot of film when I’m not training.

“After our bowl game, I went home for about two days to get packed. I’ve been working ever since then. I went to the East-West Shrine Bowl, and since then I’ve just been grinding.

“This last year at Carolina, winning nine games, it really meant a lot. Our defensive line coach (Travian Robertson) always told us to leave this place better than you found it. It felt good to leave it like that and for the young guys have something to look up to and make that the standard.

“South Carolina was a great time for me. The fans and the community – everything was great there. Being there for all five years was an honor.

“At the Shrine Bowl, I just went in with the mindset that I was going to prove I belong, that I can play this game at a very high level, and that my skillset can fit at the next level. It was a really good experience. During the week you meet everybody, and I thought our team had a great dynamic. It was a little different. Everybody was out there to make plays. We were out there trying to have fun because at the end of the day, it’s still a game that we’ve been playing our whole lives.

“My brother (Junior) played in the NFL (Kansas City). I talked to him a lot about the things he went through. He told me to just be myself. He told me not to try to be like anybody else. Just keep your head down and stay focused.

“It’s funny because when you’re in college, you have practice and training and all that, and you also have school. Now, after you work out and watch film; you have some extra time, so you have to find a hobby or something!

“I don’t miss being a college student. Not yet. I have my degree in public health. It means a lot. I’m the youngest of four, and it means a lot to be able to walk across that stage and get that diploma. It made my parents proud. Being able to have that to fall back on is important because, like they always say, the ball is going to stop spinning for everyone at some point.

“Waiting for the draft, I wouldn’t say I’m nervous. I’m pretty excited and ready to get started.

“I’m just looking forward to getting that phone call and getting a shot.”