South Carolina Football: Transfer portal defensive lineman announces decision

The transfer portal closed on May 1st, but the portal activity is still almost as busy as ever. Undergraduate players who were already in the portal and graduate transfers can still join their new teams. In recent weeks, the South Carolina football program has added major defensive end transfer Jatius Geer and an offensive line depth piece in Jaxon Hughes. The Gamecocks have also seen former players like Braden Davis and Rodricus “Hot Rod” Fitten announce their new homes after spending some time in the transfer portal.

Over the weekend, another former Gamecock made his transfer destination known. Class of 2022 defensive lineman Demetrius Watson entered the transfer portal during the spring portal window and has already found a new team. Watson announced via his personal Instagram account that he would be committing to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and first-year head coach Tim Beck.

Watson was buried deep on the depth chart as a member of the South Carolina football team but hopes to see his playing time situation change as a Chanticleer. As a rising redshirt freshman this spring, Watson appeared to be slotted behind at least nine other defensive tackles (Tonka Hemingway, Alex “Boogie” Huntley, Elijah Davis, TJ Sanders, Nick Barrett, Xzavier McLeod, Jamaal Whyce, D’Andre Martin, and Felix Hixon) based on practice reps and last season’s results. At Coastal Carolina, Watson will have a much more realistic route to playing time than he has had with the Gamecocks.

Watson joined a couple of other former Gamecocks this week in making their transfer destinations public. Former 4-star quarterback Braden Davis entered the transfer portal during the spring portal window and announced his commitment to Syracuse and head coach Dino Babers this week. Graduate EDGE Rodricus “Hot Rod” Fitten committed to the East Tennessee State Buccaneers after being in the transfer portal since the winter.