Tonka Hemingway DT South Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Tonka Hemingway DT South Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.01 seconds (71%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 23.6 DOB: 10/31/2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.01 seconds (71%*) | |
| Age: 23.6 DOB: 10/31/2001 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 77.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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44% |
| Pass Rush: |
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79% |
| Run Defense: |
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72% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#261
Position rank:
#58
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| College Games: 59 College Snaps: 1930 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Slade - Michigan State |
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83% |
| Curtis Brooks - Cincinnati |
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78% |
| Zachary Carter - Florida |
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75% |
Drafted: ROUND: 4 - Pick Number: 135 (LV)
Draft Profile: Bio
Tonka Hemingway, a defensive tackle out of South Carolina, has been a consistent force for the Gamecocks over the past four seasons. The Conway, South Carolina native has appeared in all 48 games since his freshman year, showcasing remarkable durability and reliability. Hemingway's journey from a highly-touted high school recruit to a key contributor in the SEC exemplifies his dedication to the game.At South Carolina, Hemingway steadily improved his production, culminating in a senior season that saw him earn second-team All-SEC honors from College Football Network. His stat line of 32 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 2023 doesn't fully capture his impact on the field. Hemingway's versatility shone through with seven pass breakups, six quarterback hurries, and a conference-leading two fumble recoveries.
Off the field, Hemingway has been equally impressive, earning spots on the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll multiple times and receiving the Harold White GPA Award for the defense. His leadership qualities were recognized when he was selected as one of three players to represent South Carolina at the annual SEC Media Days, underlining his importance to the program both on and off the gridiron.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional first step off the snap, allowing him to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield consistently
- Versatile defender capable of lining up at multiple positions along the defensive front, providing valuable scheme flexibility
- Displays active hands and a developed pass-rush toolbox, enabling him to disengage from blockers effectively
- High football IQ and play recognition skills, particularly evident in his ability to sniff out screens and misdirection plays
- Durable player who hasn't missed a game in four years, demonstrating reliability and toughness coveted by NFL teams
- Strong motor and pursuit skills, consistently playing to the whistle and making hustle plays downfield
- Effective two-gap defender with the strength to hold his ground against double teams in run defense
- Showcases leadership qualities and a strong work ethic
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite size for an interior defensive lineman, which may limit his effectiveness against larger NFL offensive linemen
- Despite good burst, overall athleticism is average, potentially limiting his range and ability to chase down plays laterally
- Can struggle to disengage from blocks when his initial move is stymied, needs to develop counter moves
- Tackling technique needs refinement, as he sometimes fails to wrap up and finish plays in the hole
- Pass rush plan can be one-dimensional at times, relying too heavily on his initial burst rather than a varied approach
Scouting Report: Summary
Hemingway projects as a rotational defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme at the next level. His ability to penetrate and disrupt in the backfield will make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their interior pass rush. While he may not be an every-down player immediately, Hemingway's versatility and high motor suggest he could carve out a significant role in the right system.His experience playing in the SEC against top-tier competition will serve him well as he transitions to the NFL. Hemingway's leadership qualities and academic success indicate a player with the mental makeup to handle the rigors of professional football. With proper coaching to refine his technique and expand his pass-rush repertoire, he has the potential to develop into a valuable contributor on an NFL defensive line.
Hemingway's draft stock will likely see him selected in the middle rounds, where he could prove to be a solid value pick for a team willing to invest in his development.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
Tonka Hemingway percentiles vs other Defensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Tonka Hemingway (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
189.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
48.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.