South Carolina football: ranking the transfers joining the roster
By Jacob Elsey
No. 1 Edge Rusher
Strachan led the nation in sacks last year, taking down opposing quarterbacks 10.5 times with Georgia State in 2020. 247 Sports has ranked him as the top edge rushing transfer in the country with a rating on 90. He’s also considered the 13th best transfer regardless of position, and figures to be a key player in next year’s defense.
No. 15 Cornerback
Spaulding, a transfer from Georgia Southern, will add depth to a secondary that’s lacking bodies. The defensive back tallied seven tackles and an interception, which he returned for a score, as a freshman in 2020. He is ranked as the 15th-best cornerback transfer in 2021.
No. 27 Wide Receiver
Brown set Georgia Tech records as a freshman in 2019, hauling in 21 receptions for 396 yards and seven touchdowns. Many of those records were held by Yellow Jacket great Calvin Johnson. Brown saw a bit of a sophomore slump last season, but he should be a solid option for the Gamecock offense in the slot next year.
No. 16 Pocket Passer
Brown earned All-America honors at the FCS level last year, passing for more than 3,000 yards and tossing 28 touchdowns. He comes along with teammate and 6-foot-7 wide receiver EJ Jenkins, and should immediately slide into the quarterback competition alongside Luke Doty and Colten Gauthier.
No. 18 Inside Linebacker
Williams has yet to play a down of college football after transferring from Delaware, a school that postponed their 2020 season to the spring. Still, he’s making an impact with the new coaches, and garnering some respect from those on the recruiting circuit. Williams ranks as the 18th best inside linebacker transfer, a year after being named the top high school player in the state of Delaware.
No. 18 Defensive Tackle
Green was once considered a lean to join the Gamecocks roster out of high school, but he ultimately landed at junior college before transferring to Nebraska. Now, in a roundabout track, he’s back playing for his home state university, and will certainly add depth to a defensive line that lost Makius Scott, Joseph Anderson, and four-year starter Keir Thomas.
No. 2 JUCO Linebacker
Scott signed with the Gamecocks in February, and ranks as the seventh best junior college prospect, regardless of position. He will add depth and experience to a linebacking corp that lost Ernest Jones, the Gamecocks’ leading tackler of the last two seasons.