South Carolina Football: Transfer portal prospect announces college choice
By Kevin Miller
Last week, Kevin Kalonji made a surprising announcement when he included South Carolina football among the finalists for his services. The junior college offensive lineman never visited Columbia and was not a prospect who had been linked to the Gamecocks in any serious way.
Kalonji, the Coffeyville Community College standout, announced South Carolina, Maryland, and Houston as his three finalists via a post on his personal Twitter account. He had previously visited both Houston and Maryland.
Kalonji was unranked both as a high school prospect in the class of 2019 and now as a member of the transfer portal class of 2022. Because of the “Covid redshirt,” he will have two more years of eligibility. He is from the Avalon School in Maryland, and the Terrapins have been viewed as his top school.
On Sunday, Kalonji made his commitment known to the college football world, also through an announcement on his personal Twitter account.
Home Sweet Home! #Committed #AGTG #TBIA #GoTerps 🐢 pic.twitter.com/t3tOhBMyZ6
— Kevin Kalonji (@therealkongokev) June 4, 2023
As expected, Kevin Kalonji made the decision to commit to the Maryland Terrapins.
The Gamecocks have added two transfer offensive linemen in recent weeks. Preferred walk-ons Jaxon Hughes (Charlotte) and Ni Mansell (Mercer) have tons of experience starting on the offensive line from their previous stops and could factor into the Carolina line if the Gamecocks lose any more players due to injury. Starting left tackle Jaylen Nichols is already out and will likely miss the entire season.
Kevin Kalonji won’t be the answer for the Gamecocks as they search for depth on the offensive line, but one true freshman could be. Markee Anderson, a graduate of Dorman High School in Spartanburg, has been turning heads since arriving on campus this winter.
Anderson is a natural guard but has practiced some at tackle out of necessity. While he does not seem to be in line to factor into the starting offensive line unit when the season opens in September, Gamecock fans can expect Anderson to play and, potentially, can expect him to push some of the older players for snaps.