From Irmo to Seattle, Nick Emmanwori has proven he’s a difference maker. 

Emmanwori emerged as one of the top rookies in the NFL during his first season with the Seattle Seahawks. He was recently named a finalist to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and is preparing for a trip to Super Bowl LX. 

In his rookie year, the safety finished the regular season with 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight pass breakups and an interception. He’s seen his role increase as the year has gone, and became a key part of the Seahawks' run to the Super Bowl. 

While Emmanwori’s play has taken the world by storm, anyone following him since his Irmo days could’ve seen the potential. 

At Irmo, Emmanwori played all over the field. As a senior, he was selected first-team All-State, played in the Shrine Bowl and Touchstone Energy Bowl. He recorded 232 tackles, four sacks and eight forced fumbles, and helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the state semifinal round. 

Emmanwori was a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He was considered the sixth-best player in South Carolina and the 58th-best safety in the country. 

He committed to play college football at South Carolina under head coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White. There, he took another leap in his development. 

Emmanwori was thrust into the lineup in the first game of the season, filling in for an injured Gamecock. Once he took the starting spot, he never gave it back. 

He played three solid years in the garnet and black, recording 244 career tackles and six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. His final year, he was named an AP First Team All-American, a unanimous All-SEC first team selection and a Blanchard-Rogers Trophy Finalist. 

After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Emmanwori was considered a late first or early second-round player. He ended up being drafted by the Seahawks with the third pick in the second round. 

That may have been a steal. 

Emmanwori played four snaps in the Seahawks’ season-opening loss to the 49ers. He didn’t see the field again until the team’s week five game against the Buccaneers. He recorded five tackles. 

After that game, Emmanwori established himself as a cornerstone of the Seahawks’ defense, just as he had during his freshman season at USC.

The former Gamecock made his return to the Carolinas on Dec. 28 when the Seahawks traveled to Charlotte and beat the Panthers 27-10. 

The Seahawks finished the regular season 14-3 and earned the NFC’s No. 1 overall seed. 

The team opened the postseason against the 49ers, playing them for the third time this season. Emmanwori’s contributions continued in the playoffs, recording three tackles and a fumble recovery in that game. 

Last week’s NFC Championship game was the brightest stage Emmanwori has ever played on. The star shined in a 31-27 win over the Rams and current MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. 

The Seahawks were tested against one of the NFL’s most prolific passing attacks, and Emmanwori stepped up to the occasion. He had five tackles and three pass breakups during crucial moments in the game. 

His play helped the Seahawks preserve their lead and secure a spot in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2014 season. That year, they played the Patriots and famously lost in the final seconds after Russell Wilson threw an interception on the one-yard line. 

Seattle will play New England again in this year’s Super Bowl. While both rosters are completely different, there are plenty of exciting matchups to watch for. 

With North Carolina’s Drake Maye playing quarterback for the Patriots, and Emmanwori playing defense for the Seahawks, Carolina pride will truly be on display in Super Bowl LX.