The transfer portal has been quieter than expected for the South Carolina football program since the second transfer portal window opened for underclassmen on April 15th. Suspended defensive back Anthony Rose announced he was entering the portal (though he seemed unlikely to be welcomed back to the Gamecocks’ roster, anyway), and offensive lineman Colin Henrich became the first active Gamecock to announce plans to leave the program over the weekend.
On Wednesday, another player joined them in the portal. Young defensive lineman Demetrius Watson announced via his Twitter account that he intended to leave the team in search of another opportunity.
— Demetrius watson (@DLineGod9o) April 26, 2023
Watson was a three-star prospect out of Fort Dorchester High School in the 2022 recruiting class. Watson did not play at all during a redshirt season in 2022 and was not expected to be in the two-deep this fall. At defensive tackle, Watson was behind more highly-regarded players such as Tonka Hemingway, TJ Sanders, Alex “Boogie” Huntley, Elijah Davis, Felix Hixon, Nick Barrett, Jamaal Whyce, Xzavier McLeod, and D’Andre Martin. Even with some of these players potentially sliding outside to end, Watson was buried deep on the depth chart.
The Gamecocks are still in on several transfer portal targets, ideally adding a player at defensive end and running back. The Carolina staff has also been kicking the tires on players at wide receiver, linebacker, defensive tackle, and cornerback and would be willing to take the right player at those positions.
The spring transfer portal window closes on April 30th. After that point, no underclassmen may enter the portal without an exception granted by the NCAA. Once in the portal, players can take their time deciding on their new home as transfers will be allowed after the transfer portal has closed as long as the player had already entered his name into the portal before the deadline arrives on the 30th. Graduate students can enter the portal at any time.