2025 NFL Draft interview: South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway

WCG’s lead draft analyst speaks with South Carolina’s star defensive tackle.

With 61 games at the SEC level, South Carolina defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway is as battle-tested as they come.

Hemingway served as a valuable lynchpin of the Gamecocks’ defense over his five years in the organization, starting most of his games in the final three of those seasons. As reliable as he was up the middle, he looks to carry that level of stability to the NFL level.

Windy City Gridiron spoke up with Hemingway about his time at South Carolina, growing up with an NFL wide receiver as a brother, seeing himself in NCAA Football 25 for the first time, and more.

JI: You and current punter Kai Kroeger tied for the most games played in South Carolina history. What does that mean to you to be able to hold that distinction?

TH: It’s crazy, just knowing that all the hard work and everything I put in — I never missed a game — it just means a lot, especially for that university. left it all out there.

JI: You had a lot of NFL talent on that defensive line, yourself obviously included. What was it like coming up with all those current and future pros?

TH: It was real good, real fun, and the main thing: real competitive. We kept it real competitive between everybody. We’re just out there having fun, being competitive, and at the end of the day, that’s all you can do.

JI: Who’s got next on that South Carolina defense? Who should we watch who’s returning to the team next year?

TH: A lot of people, really everybody knows [freshman edge rusher] Dylan Stewart. If he keeps his head down and everything, keep running, he’s definitely going to be one.

JI: Your older brother is Junior Hemingway, who played wide receiver in the NFL for a few years. What was it like growing up around him in the league?

TH: Oh, yes sir. Being around him, he was pretty far, but seeing him out there really was a motivation. It started all the way back to him playing college and high school ball. Him playing on Saturdays gave me something...he motivated me in ways that I can’t explain. [I’ve been talking to him in this] process right now, asking questions [about] what he went through, and him giving me ideas of what he went through. He’s telling me everything’s gonna be different, depending on who you are. Not everybody’s [process is] gonna be the same, so just be yourself.

JI: You started off as a defensive end. What was that transition like kicking inside, and how would you say that’s helped you as you’ve come into your own as a defensive tackle?

TH: I tell everybody, we’re moving from outside to the inside, and the first thing is, everything’s happening so much quicker in a smaller space. Being able to react quicker than outside [is important]. You might...