COLUMBIA, S.C.—"You said South Carolina Panthers," said linebacker Debo Williams, his tone and reaction quickly making it clear it was not a question but a correction.

The moniker isn't too far off. As NFL clubs gear up for the next month's draft, traveling to various pro days around the country, connections between schools and teams becoming more prevalent and relevant.

Columbia is a well from which Carolina has often drawn, and there are currently five former Gamecocks on the Panthers roster: Jaycee Horn, Xavier Legette, D.J. Wonnum, Jadeveon Clowney, and newly inked free agent, Rico Dowdle.

And those a part of the South Carolina Gamecocks football program are well aware of how well represented they are on the Carolina Panthers roster.

"Got them all on social media and stuff like that, I congratulated Jaycee Horn for his great addition and what he was able to do," Williams said. "So we'll keep it rolling. Hopefully they still like us and are able to draft us and bring us on."

Williams, as well as linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., were led through drills by Panthers linebackers coach Pete Hansen, and assistant linebackers coach Mayur Chaudhari.

"Definitely took away some things that you can add to your game," Knight shared, "like always finishing, which is second nature, but being able to keep your feet as a linebacker, things don't always go right in a play, but get up, keep going."

Carolina had a large contingent on hand thanks to the history, the availability this year, and the short trip from Charlotte on a nice day. Most teams were represented in some fashion though, partly due to the talent rich environment present at SEC programs, and partly to have a closer look at combine darling, safety Nick Emmanwori.

After blowing his testing numbers out of the water in Indianapolis (he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash, and topped the safety unit with a 43-inch vertical and 11-6 broad jump) the massive safety could have rested on his laurels for most remaining workouts. And while he did choose not to repeat the aforementioned skills—because, why would he—he did still take part in each and every position drill.

Not only that, he often repeated them. If there was one perceived slight at any point during the drill, Emmanwori returned to the Steelers coach leading the workout and politely demanded to do it again. It was a maturity that inevitably left an impression on each coach, scout and general manager at the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility. But even if no one else had been there, Emmanwori would have run it again.

"That's just a dawg mentality. That's just what's in me. Like, messed up, come back, do it again, make it right," Emmanwori said. "That's just the type of guy I am, come back, get to work."

A possible first-rounder, Emmanwori is also aware of the Panthers history with Gamecocks, where the club is picking (at No. 8 overall) and the draft capital (nine picks overall) available.

"The Panthers, man, they got a huge impact on us down here," admitted Emmanwori. "Just got Rico (Dowdle), so they're building a Gamecock squad up there, so hopefully they come pick me up too."

While Emmanwori was a big part of the reason so many teams descended on Columbia this week, there was plenty of intriguing talent on hand, such as defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway. The younger brother of former Chiefs wide receiver Junior Hemingway, Tonka said his brother's advice was to just be himself in each interaction. So on Tuesday, that was his goal.

"I really, I feel like I did really good from my head up, you know, meeting wise, and then also, showed my athletic ability so that I can play at this level," he said.

Linebacker Demetrius Knight, who had a stint in Charlotte with the 49ers, also drew eyes after his 82 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception season. For the sixth-year senior though, Tuesday was just another day to stack towards a future.

"Never being content with myself," Knight said of his goal each rep, facing every day with a mindset of, "I had a day to get better from. I did things today that I can learn from, and then, you know, you get better. Days like today, we're going to stack on that.

"We're going to continue to stack this day Pro Day until we get drafted and then on this to the NFL."

As pro days wind down over the next week or so, clubs will turn their attention towards team visits and final interviews. There is still much to learn and plenty unknown between now and then. But for the group walking off the field Tuesday afternoon, there was also a hope that this class of prospects could continue the trip north to Charlotte, and add to the "South Carolina Panthers."