Gamecocks Place Six on Football Coaches’ All-SEC Teams
Six players from the University of South Carolina football squad earned spots on the Coaches’ All-SEC teams, the Southeastern Conference office announced today. Included were three players who garnered first-team honors.
Representing South Carolina on the first-team were defensive lineman Kyle Kennard, defensive back Nick Emmanwori and punter Kai Kroeger. Running back Raheim Sanders was the Gamecocks’ lone selection by the coaches to the second team unit, while quarterback LaNorris Sellers and offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III earned third-team honors.
Kennard, a 6-5, 254-pound senior from Atlanta, Ga. who was named the Nagurski Trophy winner Monday night, posted 15.5 tackles for loss including 11.5 sacks during the 2024 season. Both marks led the Southeastern Conference, and his sack total ranked sixth in the nation. He was also credited with 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles.
Emmanwori, a 6-3, 227-pound junior from Irmo, S.C., led the Gamecocks with 83 tackles, 10th in the SEC this season, including 3.0 tackles for loss. He logged an SEC-leading four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Kroeger, a 6-4, 213-pound senior from Lake Forest, Ill., returns to the first-team All-SEC squad after a one-year hiatus. A 2022 All-American, Kroeger led the SEC and ranked third in the country in punting average at 47.6-yards per punt, with 18 punts of 50 yards or more, including a long of 75 yards. He had 18 of his 45 punts land inside the 20-yard line with just six touchbacks.
Sanders, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Rockledge, Fla., also had a bounce-back season. A 2022 All-SEC first-team selection, Sanders was sidelined for much of the 2023 campaign. He led the Gamecocks in rushing in 2024, logging 183 carries for 881 yards, an average of 4.8 yards per carry, with 11 touchdowns. He added 27 receptions for 316 yards and two more scores.
Sellers, a 6-3, 242-pound redshirt freshman from Florence, S.C., became one of the most exciting players in the conference. He completed 64.9 percent of his passes (172-for-265) for 2,274 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added 155 carries for 655 yards and seven scores in his first year as the starting signal-caller for the Gamecocks.
Simpkins III, a 6-5, 319-pound senior from Charlotte, N.C., was the Gamecocks’ top offensive lineman in 2024 from his right guard position. Simpkins III was a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, earning accolades from the conference office after his performances against Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. He was also the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week following the upset win over the Aggies.
The Coaches’ Individual SEC Awards will be announced on Wednesday, while the Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team will be announced on Thursday.
First Team All-SEC
Offense
QB
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
RB
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
WR
Ryan Williams, Alabama
Luther Burden III, Missouri
TE
Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
OL
Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Will Campbell, LSU
Tyler Booker, Alabama
Tate Ratledge, Georgia
C
Cooper Mays, Tennessee
AP
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Defense
DL
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee*
Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss*
LB
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Whit Weeks, LSU
DB
Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Malachi Moore, Alabama
Jahdae Barron, Texas
Special Teams
PK
Alex Raynor, Kentucky
P
Kai Kroeger, South Carolina
RS
Barion Brown, Kentucky
KOS
Peyton Woodring, Georgia
LS
Beau Gardner, Georgia
Second Team All-SEC
Offense
QB
Quinn Ewers, Texas
RB
Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M
WR
Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn
TE
Gunnar Helm, Texas
OL
Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
Armand Membou, Missouri
Emery Jones Jr., LSU
C
Jared Wilson, Georgia
AP
Barion Brown, Kentucky
Defense
DL
Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Landon Jackson, Arkansas
R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri*
Mykel Williams, Georgia*
LB
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Jalon Walker, Georgia
Chris “Pooh” Paul, Ole Miss
DB
Malaki Starks, Georgia
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Isaac Smith, Mississippi State
Special Teams
PK
Peyton Woodring, Georgia
P
Jesse Mirco, Vanderbilt
RS
Martel Hight, Vanderbilt
KOS
Aeron Burrell, LSU
LS
Rocco Underwood, Florida
Third Team All-SEC
Offense
QB
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
RB
Quintrevion Wisner, Texas
Trevor Etienne, Georgia
WR
Tre Harris, Ole Miss
Kevin Coleman, Mississippi State
TE
Mason Taylor, LSU
OL
Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
Torricelli Simpkins III, South Carolina
Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
Javontez Spraggins, Tennessee
C
Eli Cox, Kentucky
AP
Davon Booth, Mississippi State
Defense
DL
Jared Ivey, Ole Miss
Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
JJ Pegues, Ole Miss*
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M*
Deone Walker, Kentucky*
LB
Chaz Chambliss, Georgia
Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas
DB
Daylen Everette, Georgia
Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Dan Jackson, Georgia
Special Teams
PK
Brock Taylor, Vanderbilt
P
Brett Thorson, Georgia
RS
Zavion Thomas, LSU
KOS
Josh Turbyville, Tennessee
LS
Ben Anderson, Oklahoma
(* – Ties)
