South Carolina Football's Transfer Portal Activity and Roster Changes
South Carolina football is currently navigating its second week with the transfer portal open. The window for players to enter the portal opened on January 2 and will close on January 16. As of the first week, head coach Shane Beamer has seen 20 players either announce or enter the portal, while also adding seven new players to the roster. Beamer finished his fifth season with a 4-8 record, which marks his worst performance yet. With this in mind, the team is looking to rebuild and strengthen several key positions.
One of the primary areas needing improvement is the offensive line, but there are also gaps in other position groups that need attention. The Greenville News is tracking all of South Carolina’s transfer moves for the 2026 season. Below is an overview of the latest additions to the program.
New Additions to the South Carolina Roster
Drew Collins
Drew Collins, an edge rusher from Arkansas State, is joining the Gamecocks. He is the brother of Kelby Collins, who is also transferring from Alabama to South Carolina. Drew was a freshman in 2025, recording three sacks for the Red Wolves. The brothers announced their commitment on X on January 11.
Kelby Collins
Kelby Collins, a defensive lineman, is coming from Alabama. In 2025, as a junior, he had two sacks and played in eight games.
Seth Smith
Seth Smith, an offensive lineman from Northern Arizona, brings experience to the team. He is a veteran starter with one year of eligibility remaining.
Jabree Coleman
Jabree Coleman, a running back from Penn State, is following Stan Drayton to South Carolina. He did not record any stats as a freshman in 2025.
Tomiwa Durojaiye
Tomiwa Durojaiye, a defensive tackle, spent the 2025 season at Illinois, where he recorded two sacks. He started as a mid-year enrollee at Kentucky in 2022, then moved to West Virginia in 2023, followed by Florida State in 2024 before joining Illinois.
Nitro Tuggle
Nitro Tuggle, a wide receiver from Purdue, had 500 receiving yards on 34 receptions in 2025, averaging 14.7 yards per catch with four touchdowns. He had three catches for 34 yards in eight games with Georgia in 2024.
Emmet Rhoades
Emmet Rhoades, a long snapper from Western Carolina, comes to South Carolina after playing in 12 games as the primary long-snapper on punts and placekicks in 2025 as a redshirt sophomore.
Sam Williams-Dixon
Sam Williams-Dixon is the first running back added during this portal cycle. He is coming from Ohio State, where he played behind four players and logged nine yards and one touchdown.
Emmanuel “Kojo” Poku
Emmanuel “Kojo” Poku, an offensive lineman from Eastern Carolina, committed to South Carolina on January 9 with one year of eligibility remaining. According to Pro Football Focus, he has played 1,047 career snaps, with 977 in 2025, finishing with a 69.1 pass blocking grade and a 60.6 run blocking grade.
Dayne Arnett
Dayne Arnett, an offensive lineman from Ferris State, is 6-5, 295 pounds and played in 15 games in 2025, with 33 total across three seasons.
Jacarrius Peak
Jacarrius Peak, an offensive tackle from NC State, became the third offensive lineman to join the Gamecocks this portal cycle. He was reportedly visiting Alabama on a transfer visit but chose Beamer’s program. He is ranked No. 3 among offensive tackles and No. 3 overall in 247’s transfer rankings.
Quay'Sheed Scott
Quay'Sheed Scott, a cornerback from Kentucky, went to high school in South Carolina. He signed with the Gamecocks after two seasons with the Wildcats. He had 26 solo tackles and one interception in 2025.
Upton Bellenfant
Upton Bellenfant, a kicker from Texas Tech, is coming to South Carolina. In 2025, he was 6-of-6 on field goals with his longest a 33-yarder. This is the first time Beamer has brought in a kicker via the portal since he arrived five years ago.
Hank Purvis
Hank Purvis, an offensive lineman from Purdue, committed to South Carolina on January 6. He played 14 games both as an OL and on special teams in 2024 and shifted fully into the offensive line at the end of the year.
Carter Miller
Carter Miller, an interior offensive lineman who started at center for UCF in 2025, will transfer to the Gamecocks. He has played 1,992 career snaps but only allowed two sacks, according to On3.
Jordan Thomas
Jordan Thomas, a defensive lineman, transferred from Georgia. He had six tackles and one sack this year and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Jayden Gibson
Jayden Gibson, a wide receiver from Oklahoma, was the first portal addition for South Carolina. He didn’t play in 2024 and 2025 due to injuries but left the Sooners midseason, right before they played the Gamecocks on October 18. He recorded 14 catches for 375 yards and scored five touchdowns, averaging 26.8 yards per catch in 2023.
Transfers Visiting South Carolina
Several players are currently visiting South Carolina. LSU offensive lineman DJ Chester is set to visit the program. Bryant Williams from Louisiana posted photos from his official visit on January 7. He is a left tackle who started in 11 games last year.
Players Entering the Transfer Portal
South Carolina has also seen several players enter the transfer portal. Ryan Brubaker, a backup offensive lineman, announced he would enter the portal after injuries hampered his time with the team. Jatavius Shivers, an offensive lineman, announced he would enter the portal four days before it closes. Jaylen Brown, an edge rusher, entered the portal on January 6 after missing the entire 2025 season with an injury. Josiah Thompson, a sophomore left tackle, announced he would enter the portal after two seasons as a starter. Vandrevius Jacobs, a wide receiver, transferred from Florida State and will be heading to Miami. Boaz Stanley, an offensive lineman, will move to Purdue. Rodney Newsom Jr., an offensive lineman, confirmed he would enter the portal after one season in Columbia. Myles Norwood, a defensive back, plans to enter the portal. Chase Kibble, a defensive lineman, revealed he will enter the portal with three years of eligibility remaining. Taeshawn Alston, a linebacker/edge rusher, confirmed he will enter the portal with four years of eligibility remaining. Tree Babalade, an offensive lineman, is entering the portal after four seasons. Air Noland, a backup quarterback, will enter the portal after one season. Cason Henry, a veteran offensive lineman, is entering the portal with two years of eligibility left. Brian Rowe Jr., a freshman wide receiver, will enter the portal after one season with South Carolina. Trovon Baugh, an offensive lineman, is heading to Texas A&M. Mac Walters, a walk-on, announced he is entering the portal after 3.5 years with South Carolina. Peyton Argent, a redshirt sophomore walk-on kicker/punter, said he will enter the portal with two years left. Jaron Willis, a linebacker, confirmed he’d enter the portal after three seasons with South Carolina. Emazon Littlejohn, a second-year walk-on wide receiver, announced he is entering the portal. Zay Hardy, a defensive lineman, revealed he would enter the portal. Nick Sharpe, an offensive lineman, announced he will be entering the portal with one graduate year of eligibility remaining. Michael Smith, a sophomore, left the team midseason in 2025 and will enter the portal after just under two seasons in Columbia.
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