South Carolina Football: Transfer Portal Losses on Defense this Offseason

The transfer portal and its one-time free transfer policy are relatively new realities in college athletics. In 2022, South Carolina football’s transfers into the program made a larger impact than the players that left the program via the transfer portal. In 2023, the balance could shift as South Carolina football has seen its fair share of talented players elect to leave. This is not to say that the team’s new additions from the portal are not going to have the same level of impact as the defections, but overcoming the losses will be more difficult this season than last.

It is important to note that the transfer portal is now closed until after most teams complete spring practice, but players can commit and enroll at their new school if they had already entered the portal before it closed on January 18th. Players currently in the portal who have not enrolled elsewhere can return to their previous team if the team allows them to do so.

On defense, Defensive Backs Coach Torrian Gray will look to replace three secondary players this offseason in RJ Roderick, Joey Hunter, and Tyrese Ross. Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Coach Sterling Lucas has had three EDGE players leave the program with former 5-star Jordan Burch, Gilber Edmond, and “Hot Rod” Fitten searching for new situations.

Defensive Backs

RJ Roderick

Transferring To: Liberty University
Eligibility Remaining: 1 Year
Position: S/LB
Role at South Carolina: Rotational S, Former Starter at S, Former Rotational LB
Transfer Portal Ranking: 3 Stars (on3); Unranked (247, ESPN, Rivals)
Recruiting Ranking out of High School: Consensus 3 Stars; on3 did not exist yet
Measurables: 6’0”; 210 pounds
Current Roster Replacements: Barring positional changes, the Gamecocks’ safety starters are set (sophomores Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith). Redshirt freshman Peyton Williams and redshirt seniors David Spaulding and BJ Gibson are the leading candidates for rotational playing time.

Joey Hunter

Transferring To: University of Akron
Eligibility Remaining: 3 Years
Position: DB
Role at South Carolina: Reserve DB
Transfer Portal Ranking: Consensus Unranked
Recruiting Ranking out of High School: Consensus 3 Stars; on3 did not exist yet
Measurables: 6’0”; 200 pounds
Current Roster Replacements: A reserve DB, Hunter will be replaced by young and incoming DBs with higher upsides like Emory Floyd, KaJuan Banks, Keenan Nelson, Vicari Swain, Jalon Kilgore, Judge Collier, and Zahbari Sandy.

Tyrese Ross

Transferring To: Undecided
Eligibility Remaining: 1 Year
Position: S
Role at South Carolina: Rotational S
Transfer Portal Ranking: Consensus Unranked
Recruiting Ranking out of High School: 3 Stars (247, Rivals); Unranked (ESPN); on3 did not exist yet
Measurables: 6’2”; 185 pounds
Current Roster Replacements: A rotational safety, Ross likely will cede his spot in the rotation to redshirt seniors David Spaulding and BJ Gibson and redshirt freshman Peyton Williams.

EDGE

Jordan Burch

Transferring To: University of Oregon
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
Position: DE
Role at South Carolina: Starter at DE
Transfer Portal Ranking: #37 (ESPN); 4 Stars (247, Rivals); 3 Stars (on3)
Recruiting Ranking out of High School: Consensus 5 Stars
Measurables: 6’6”; 270 pounds; 4.6 second 40-yard dash
Current Roster Replacements: The Gamecocks will need inexperienced players to step up with two of their top three defensive ends leaving the program. Expect redshirt junior Terrell Dawkins, sophomore Bryan Thomas Jr., and redshirt senior Tyreek Johnson to get the first cracks at the job with defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott candidates to move to end. Ole Miss and East Mississippi Junior College transfers Jaron Willis and Elijah Davis may play. Incoming freshman Desmond Umeozulu could be a factor in this battle, as well.

Gilber Edmond

Transferring To: Florida State
Eligibility Remaining: 2 Years
Position: DE/OLB
Role at South Carolina: Starter at DE, Former Rotational at OLB
Transfer Portal Ranking: 4 Stars (247, Rivals); 3 Stars (on3); Unranked (ESPN)
Recruiting Ranking out of High School: Consensus 3 Stars
Measurables: 6’4”; 240 pounds
Current Roster Replacements: The Gamecocks will need inexperienced players to step up with two of their top three defensive ends leaving the program. Expect redshirt junior Terrell Dawkins, sophomore Bryan Thomas Jr., and redshirt senior Tyreek Johnson to get the first cracks at the job with defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott candidates to change positions to end. Ole Miss and East Mississippi Junior College transfers Jaron Willis and Elijah Davis may play. Incoming freshman Desmond Umeozulu could be a factor in this battle, as well.

“Hot Rod” Rodricus Fitten

Transferring To: Undecided
Eligibility Remaining: 1 Year
Position: DE/OLB
Role at South Carolina: Reserve EDGE
Transfer Portal Ranking: Consensus Unranked
Recruiting Ranking out of High School: 4 Stars (ESPN); 3 Stars (247, Rivals); on3 did not exist yet
Measurables: 6’3”; 235 pounds; 575 pounds squat
Current Roster Replacements: A reserve EDGE player, Fitten will be replaced on the roster by younger players like transfer redshirt freshman Jaron Willis, junior college transfer Elijah Davis, and freshman Desmond Umeozulu.