South Carolina Football: Big-time EDGE transfer announces commitment

South Carolina football has been searching the transfer portal this offseason for a player who can help at EDGE, particularly one who can help as a true defensive end. Their top target at the position was Florida State defection Derrick McLendon. This was a bit ironic as Gamecock EDGE player Gilber Edmond transferred to the Seminoles earlier this offseason.

On Wednesday, McLendon announced his commitment.

McLendon will be headed to Boulder, Colorado to play for head coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. McLendon will have two more years of eligibility to play for Coach Prime.

The commitment hurts as the Gamecocks were hopeful about landing McLendon and still have a hole at defensive end. Transfers from former five-star Jordan Burch, a sometimes-starter in Gilber Edmond, and depth piece Rodricus “Hot Rod” Fitten have left the position extremely thin. Even projected starter Jordan Strachan is a bit of a question mark as the now seventh-year player is coming off of his second torn ACL.

Even without adding an end, the Gamecocks do have some answers on the roster, though they might not be the best solutions to their EDGE problem. Several defensive tackles have enough quick-twitch athleticism to play outside. Tonka Hemingway and Elijah Davis seem like the most likely candidates to do this if needed, but TJ Sanders could probably play some end in a pinch. Linebackers Donovan Westmoreland, Jaron Willis, and Bam Martin-Scott can play EDGE situationally, as well.

Bryan Thomas, Jr. is an undersized EDGE player but has had a good spring. During the annual Garnet and Black Spring Game, there were times when Thomas was simply unblockable in pass rush situations, but his 235-pound frame does not seem ideal to hold up against the run in a physical conference like the SEC.

The Gamecocks are still in the market for a defensive end, but the choices are quickly disappearing. There have been rumors circulating about a possible return home for Jordan Burch, but that scuttlebutt has not been substantiated, and there is no guarantee that he would be eligible immediately if he did return.