Chiefs scouting report: South Carolina Gamecocks DT Tonka Hemingway
Chiefs scouting report: South Carolina Gamecocks DT Tonka Hemingway
As Chris Jones prepares to turn 31 years old this coming summer, the Kansas City Chiefs need to examine prospects in the 2025 NFL draft with the skill sets to support their aging star. Several defensive tackles early in the draft and a few late round options have the athleticism to take advantage of Jones drawing double teams and boost Kansas City's pass rush.
South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway is a 6'2 7/8'', 284 lb. college veteran with 33'' arms. He's undersized by the league's standards, but that creates some unique advantages for him as a pass rusher. Hemingway's college teammate T.J. Sanders was adamant when speaking to reporters at the Senior Bowl that Hemingway deserved an invite to Mobile. He was right.
Hemingway never got the call from the Senior Bowl, so he spent late January torching offensive linemen at the East-West Shrine Bowl. No player won more frequently during the four practice sessions or concluding game than Hemingway. Blockers couldn't keep up with his pass rush plan and lacked the agility to mirror him throughout plays.
Hemingway's pass rush plan includes club-rips, club-swims, spins and swipe-rips. His loose hips help him bend around guards and flatten his rush angles. Guards struggle to match Hemingway's explosive horizontal steps, which allow him to exchange gaps immediately after the snap.
Hemingway's lack of power limits his ability to bull rush and makes it hard for him to break free once the offensive lineman clamps down. He relies on winning early in the play and often finds himself stalemated when the battle gets dragged out.
Hemingway showcases a better anchor in the run game than many analysts acknowledge. He makes some nice plays holding his ground against combo blocks and rarely loses his balance. However, he's at his best shooting gaps and penetrating into the backfield on run plays. Hemingway doesn't provide a consistent force anchoring the point of attack and lacks the strength to maintain gap integrity.
Hemingway's lack of size and elite traits limits his draft value in a class featuring several star defensive tackles. He currently projects as a mid-Day 3 selection who could slide into the later rounds.
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