South Carolina’s Transfer Portal Additions: Who Will Make an Immediate Impact?
As the 2024 season fades into the rearview mirror, South Carolina is already gearing up for the upcoming season with a series of impactful transfers. Last offseason, the Gamecocks made significant moves in the portal, adding players like Kyle Kennard, Demetrius Knight Jr., and Raheim Sanders. Now, with the 2025 season approaching, let’s break down the latest portal arrivals and who might make an immediate impact on the field.
Incoming Transfers for South Carolina:
- QB Air Noland
- RB Rashun Faison
- TE Jordan Dingle
- IOL Nick Sharpe
- IOL Boaz Stanley
- IOL Rodney Newsom Jr.
- DL Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy
- EDGE Jaylen Brown
- LB Justin Okoronkwo
- LB Shawn Murphy
- CB Myles Norwood
Interior Offensive Line:
Heading into 2025, South Carolina will return both of its starting tackles, but the team faces a significant challenge in replacing three interior linemen. Vershon Lee, Torricelli Simpkins III, and Kamaar Bell are all moving on to the NFL Draft. Head Coach Shane Beamer had already pointed to the need for experienced interior linemen ahead of the Citrus Bowl, and that’s exactly what the Gamecocks have done by adding Boaz Stanley, Rodney Newsom Jr., and Nick Sharpe. Each of these players has logged significant college snaps and will compete for starting roles in a position that’s now up for grabs.
Linebackers:
With Debo Williams and Demetrius Knight Jr. both declaring for the draft, and Bam Martin-Scott’s status still uncertain as the NCAA reviews his eligibility, South Carolina faced a pressing need for experience at linebacker. The Gamecocks quickly responded by bringing in Shawn Murphy from Florida State and Justin Okoronkwo from Alabama. These two seasoned linebackers are expected to make an immediate impact, similar to the interior offensive linemen, strengthening the defense from day one.
Defensive Line – Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy:
Replacing key contributors like potential first-round pick TJ Sanders, along with Tonka Hemingway and Alec Huntley, will be no small task. However, the addition of former five-star recruit Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy from Oklahoma brings both upside and experience. While the Gamecocks may not be finished bolstering their defensive line, Brownlow-Dindy is already a standout addition, offering the Gamecocks a dynamic force to anchor the middle of the line.
As the offseason continues, expect South Carolina to make more moves in the transfer portal. Stay tuned for all the latest updates on these exciting additions and how they’ll shape the team’s 2025 season.
