South Carolina Football 2026 Roster Tracker: Shane Beamer Transfer Portal Updates

South Carolina Football's Transfer Portal Activity in 2026

South Carolina football is navigating its second week of the transfer portal, which 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 gaining seven new players. Beamer’s fifth season ended with a 4-8 record, his worst yet.

The team is currently in need of rebuilding its offensive line, as well as addressing key gaps in other position groups. The Greenville News is tracking all of South Carolina's transfer moves for the 2026 season. Below are the latest updates:

Who South Carolina Has Added in the Transfer Portal in 2026

Most Recent News First

• Christian Clark
  Clark played in eight games for Texas in 2025, finishing with 236 yards on 55 carries and two touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry across the season.

• Caleb Herring
  Herring played in 13 games for the Vols this season, finishing with 14 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, four sacks, and six quarterback hurries. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Herring joins the Gamecocks with one season of eligibility remaining after playing 36 games in three seasons.

• Drew Collins
  Drew Collins is an edge rusher from Arkansas State and the brother of Kelby Collins, who is transferring from Alabama to South Carolina with him. He was a freshman in 2025, logging three sacks for the Red Wolves.

• Kelby Collins
  Kelby Collins is a defensive lineman joining the Gamecocks from Alabama. In 2025 as a junior, he had two sacks and played in eight games.

• Seth Smith
  Seth Smith is an offensive lineman from Northern Arizona who is a veteran starter with one year of eligibility remaining.

• Jabree Coleman
  Jabree Coleman is a running back from Penn State who is following Stan Drayton to South Carolina. He didn't record stats as a freshman in 2025.

• Tomiwa Durojaiye
  Tomiwa Durojaiye is a defensive tackle who spent the 2025 season at Illinois where he logged two sacks. He started as a mid-year enrollee at Kentucky in 2022, then went to West Virginia in 2023, then Florida State in 2024 before Illinois.

• Nitro Tuggle
  Nitro Tuggle is a wide receiver from Purdue who had 500 receiving yards on 34 receptions, averaging 14.7 yards per catch to go with four touchdowns in 2025. Tuggle had three catches for 34 yards in eight games with Georgia in 2024.

• Emmet Rhoades
  Emmet Rhoades is a long snapper from Western Carolina and 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 for South Carolina this portal cycle. Williams-Dixon is coming from Ohio State where he played behind four players but he logged nine yards and one touchdown.

• Emmanuel “Kojo” Poku
  Offensive lineman Emmanuel “Kojo” Poku committed to South Carolina from Eastern Carolina on Jan. 9 with one year of eligibility remaining. He's played 1,047 career snaps according to Pro Football Focus, 977 in 2025 and he finished with a 69.1 pass blocking grade and a 60.6 run blocking grade.

• Dayne Arnett
  Dayne Arnett is an offensive lineman from Ferris State. He's 6-5, 295 pounds and played in 15 games in 2025, 33 total across three seasons.

• Jacarrius Peak
  Offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak became the third offensive lineman to join the Gamecocks this portal cycle. He is from NC State and reportedly visited Alabama on a transfer visit but chose Beamer's program. He is the No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 3 overall player in 247's transfer rankings.

• Quay'Sheed Scott
  Quay'Sheed Scott is a cornerback from Kentucky who went to high school in South Carolina. 247Sports reported on Jan. 8 that he signed with the Gamecocks after two seasons with the Wildcats. Defensive coordinator Clayton White's secondary loses three starters. Scott had 26 solo tackles and one interception in 2025.

• Upton Bellenfant
  It was first reported Jan. 8 that Upton Bellenfant, a kicker from Texas Tech, is coming to South Carolina. In 2025 for the Red Raiders he was 6-of-6 on field goals with his longest a 33-yarder. He started his career at Buffalo in 2024 under Pete Lembo, who was Beamer's special teams coordinator before he took the head coaching job. In the MAC, Bellenfant was 18-of-21 with a season-long of 52 yards. He made all extra points and was 7-of-8 from 40-49 yards. This is the first time Beamer has brought in a kicker via the portal since he arrived five years ago.

• Hank Purvis
  Hank Purvis was the second offensive lineman to commit to South Carolina on Jan. 6. He played 14 games both as an OL and on special teams for Purdue in 2024 then shifted fully into the offensive line at the end of the year. In 2025 he played in 11 games. South Carolina posted on Jan. 7 that he signed with the program.

• Carter Miller
  It was first reported Jan. 6 that Carter Miller, an interior offensive lineman who started at center for UCF in 2025, will transfer to the Gamecocks. South Carolina posted on Jan. 7 that he signed with the program. Miller has played 1,992 career snaps but only allowed two sacks, according to On3. He played center for Louisiana Monroe in 2024 and left guard for James Madison in 2023.

• Jordan Thomas
  Jordan Thomas told On3 on Jan. 6 that he has committed to South Carolina, transferring from Georgia. The defensive lineman had six tackles and one sack this year and will have three years of eligibility remaining. South Carolina posted on Jan. 7 that he signed with the program.

• Jayden Gibson
  The 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 Oct. 18. He recorded 14 catches for 375 yards and scored five touchdowns, averaging 26.8 yards per catch in 2023.

Which Transfers Are Visiting South Carolina?

• LSU offensive lineman DJ Chester is set to visit South Carolina according to 247Sports. He was a redshirt sophomore in 2025, playing in seven games and making one start. He started all 13 games in 2024 at center.
• Bryant Williams from Louisiana posted photos from his official visit on Jan. 7. He's an a left tackle who started in 11 games last year.

South Carolina Football Players Entering the Transfer Portal

Most Recent News First

• Ryan Brubaker
  Backup offensive lineman Ryan Brubaker announced Jan. 13 that he'd enter the portal after injuries hampered his time with South Carolina. He was a backup in 2024 but missed all of the spring then returned to practice in 2025 and played briefly in one game against Coastal Carolina.

• Jatavius Shivers
  Offensive lineman Jatavius Shivers announced four days before the portal closes that he will enter it. He played in seven games this season as a reserve.

• Jaylen Brown
  Edge rusher Jaylen Brown entered the portal on Jan. 6 after missing the entire 2025 season with an injury. He transferred to South Carolina last cycle from Missouri.

• Josiah Thompson (has since withdrawn from portal)
  Sophomore left tackle Josiah Thompson announced Jan. 3 that he is entering the portal after two seasons as a starter. He was a 5-star recruit out of high school and the No. 1 player from South Carolina in his class.

• Vandrevius Jacobs
  Dre Jacobs had a really strong season at wide receiver in 2025, logging 548 receiving yards on 32 catches and scoring four touchdowns. He transferred from Florida State after 2023 season and had 12 catches for 181 yards for South Carolina last year.

• Boaz Stanley
  It was reported Dec. 31 that offensive lineman Boaz Stanley will enter the portal after one season. He started in nine games, mainly at center but played in every game. He was moved to right guard on Sept. 20 but finished the season at center. He transferred in from Troy but also played for Georgia Military College.

• Rodney Newsom Jr
  Offensive lineman Rodney Newsom Jr confirmed Dec. 29 that he will enter the portal after one season in Columbia. He started in three games this season after transferring from Western Kentucky. It appears as though Newsom would have to apply for another year of eligibility as he was a sixth year player at South Carolina.

• Myles Norwood
  It was reported Dec. 27 that defensive back Myles Norwood plans to enter the portal. He's a redshirt senior who transfered into the program for this season, he played at Ball State and Iowa State.

• Chase Kibble
  Defensive lineman Chase Kibble revealed Dec. 24 that he will enter the portal with three years of eligibility remaining. He is a walk on that saw brief action in two games in 2024, logging one tackle against Akron.

• Taeshawn Alston
  Linebacker/edge rusher Taeshawn Alston confirmed on Dec. 24 that he will enter the portal with four years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted this year and didn't play in any games.

• Tree Babalade
  Offensive lineman Tree Babalade is entering the portal after four seasons. The redshirt junior moved into the starting lineup midseason in 2025 and overall played in seven games. He started five straight at right tackle beginning with Kentucky and ending with Ole Miss.

• Air Noland
  It was reported Dec. 22 that Air Noland would enter the portal after one season as backup quarterback. He played behind LaNorris Sellers and Luke Doty, only seeing the field for a few snaps all season. He transferred in last December from Ohio State.

• Cason Henry
  Veteran offensive lineman Cason Henry is entering the portal with two years of eligibility left. This is a big loss for South Carolina's offense line, as Henry brought versatility, experience and leadership. He played four games this year before a season-ending shoulder injury.

• Brian Rowe Jr
  The freshman wide receiver will enter the transfer portal after one season with South Carolina. He reposted the news on social media on Dec. 18. Rowe had 19 catches for 149 yards and one touchdown this season across eight games.

• Trovon Baugh
  Baugh is arguably the first big departure for the Gamecocks so far. The offensive lineman started 11 of 12 games this season and spent three with South Carolina.

• Mac Walters
  Walters announced on Dec. 15 that he's entering the portal after 3.5 years with South Carolina. He's a walk-on who played in six games across three seasons.

• Peyton Argent
  Argent is a redshirt sophomore walk-on kicker/punter who said Dec. 9 that he will enter the portal with two years left.

• Jaron Willis
  Willis, a linebacker confirmed on Dec. 7 that he'd enter the portal after three seasons with South Carolina. He began his career at Ole Miss. He played in 20 games for the Gamecocks, 11 this season and logged five solo tackles.

• Emazon Littlejohn
  Littlejohn announced via X on Dec. 4 he is entering the portal. He is a second-year walk on wide receiver who played in one game briefly in 2024 but did not record any stats.

• Zay Hardy
  Hardy revealed via X on Dec. 4 that he would enter the portal. The defensive lineman was the only JUCO recruit in the Dec. 2024 signing class, he arrived in Jan. 2025. Hardy played in one game on Nov. 22 against Coastal Carolina.

• Nick Sharpe
  Sharpe announced on Dec. 3 via social media that he will be entering the portal with one graduate year of eligibility remaining. The offensive lineman played just one season for the Gamecocks after transferring from Wake Forest last offseason. He played in nine games and made five starts this season.

• Michael Smith
  Sophomore Michael Smith left the team midseason in 2025 and will enter the portal after just under two seasons in Columbia. The news of his departure was confirmed Oct. 7, then Oct. 8 Beamer spoke about his exit. "I told him the same thing I told our team, there's competition in every position," Beamer said. "Mike did a lot of good thing for us in 2024 and I certainly didn't want him to leave. I love the kid. At the same time, he missed all of spring practices, which put him behind a little bit."

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X @Lulukesin and Bluesky @bylulukesin.bsky.social