South Carolina football: Karon Prunty down to Gamecocks and Vols

South Carolina football hopes to land talented DB transfer.

South Carolina football is in dire need of help in the secondary. Following the firing of then-head coach Will Muschamp, the roster saw five defensive backs either declare for the NFL Draft or transfer out of the program. The losses have left the position room bare and largely unproven, with the Gamecocks returning just a few players with starting experience.

Cam Smith looks like he’s primed to take over one of the cornerback spots, but it’s not yet known who will line up opposite of the redshirt sophomore. Well, that answer could become a bit clearer this weekend.

Karon Prunty, a transfer from the University of Kansas, has narrowed his final two schools down to South Carolina and Tennessee. The freshman All-American ranks as the No. 6 cornerback prospect in the transfer portal, and would provide the Gamecocks’ defense with an instant playmaker on the back end.

Prunty appeared in nine games in his lone season with the Jayhawks, notching 26 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and an interception. He held opposing wideouts to a completion rate of just 38.5%, which ranked seventh in all of college football, while not allowing a single touchdown in coverage. The corner would be an immediate upgrade in the South Carolina secondary.

Prunty plans to announce his commitment over the weekend, and the Gamecocks are hoping he chooses South Carolina over the SEC rival Volunteers. Should Shane Beamer land the pledge, it would continue an offseason of positive buzz and momentum on the trail.