Gamecocks Place Six on Football Coaches’ All-SEC Teams – University of South Carolina Athletics

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…