The Palmetto State rivalry just got a little spicier. Hudson Lee, a former Clemson reliever and South Carolina native, announced on Tuesday that he will be transferring to the Gamecocks. Lee is the sixth Tiger to flip rivalries and become a Gamecock, including Nathan Hall and Nolan Nawrocki who were both on the roster last season. This move also brings local roots, SEC experience, and a chip on his shoulder on Columbia.
Lee appeared in 15 games out of the bullpen for Clemson last season, posting a 5.79 ERA over 14 innings, striking out 19 and walking 13. While the numbers don't exactly jump off the page, the talent is there. Opponents only hit .192 against him, and he excelled in the late part of games with a 2.45 ERA after the fifth inning. Lee's standout performances include a two-inning perfect relief appearance against Liberty and a five-strikeout performance against Duke.
Before Clemson, Lee began his college career at Wake Forest. South Carolina will be his third stop along his collegiate journey.
At Dorman High School, Lee was an all-state selection in both baseball and football and ranked among the top left-handed pitchers in the state by Perfect Game.
Now as he continues in college, he will bring that same punch to the Gamecocks' bullpen. He joins a Gamecock program that is reloading after an up-and-down 2025 season as the look to strengthen their depth in the bullpen. And for Gamecock Nation, it's one more reason to circle next season's series against Clemson.