With South Carolina’s season officially wrapped up, the Gamecocks have turned their focus to the offseason and reshaping the roster for a stronger push in 2026. That transition inevitably brings roster movement, and on Sunday another departure emerged through the transfer portal.
Redshirt junior linebacker Jaron Willis intends to enter the portal when it opens on Jan. 2, his agency SetVision Management announced on social media. Willis will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Willis played three seasons in Columbia, appearing in 22 games. During his time with the Gamecocks, he posted 10 tackles—eight of them solo—and recovered two fumbles. One of those recoveries turned into a defensive touchdown on Sept. 7 against South Carolina State.
A native of Albany, Georgia, Willis arrived at South Carolina after transferring from Ole Miss following his true freshman campaign.
Jaron Willis’ bio from GamecocksOnline
2025 Co-Most Improved Player of the Spring (Special Teams)
A fourth-year linebacker now in his third season with the Gamecocks… began his career at Ole Miss… known as a fluid, athletic defender who can run, plays aggressively, and tackles well… showed the ability to create pressure on the quarterback… entered 2025 seeking a consistent role in the linebacker rotation and on special teams after sharing Most Improved honors with Jatius Geer in the spring.
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Served as a reserve linebacker and played in four games… appeared only once in the first 10 contests (Akron) before taking the field in the final three matchups against Wofford, Clemson, and Illinois… did not record any statistics.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Saw action in five games… spent the first seven weeks on the scout team before earning opportunities late in the season… tallied two tackles and three quarterback hurries in limited snaps… both tackles came in the Jacksonville State game.
2022 (Freshman at Ole Miss)
Played in one game, appearing against Central Arkansas… redshirted… logged no statistics but rotated on defense and special teams.
High School
Graduated from Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, under coach Dean Fabrizio… helped guide the program to an 11–2 record and a berth in the Georgia 6A quarterfinals as a senior… primarily played defensive back… earned Under Armour All-American recognition… named to the Region 1-6A First Team defense… helped lead Lee County to the 6A state championship game in 2020 with a 10–2 record… collected first-team all-region and first-team all-state honors as a junior… also competed in basketball for the Trojans.
Personal
Jaron Isaiah Willis was born Nov. 8, 2002… majoring in sports media… cousin Mark Robinson played linebacker at Ole Miss.
