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Former Gamecock LHP Jake McCoy transfers to a team South Carolina could face in 2027

The Gamecocks pitcher missed the 2026 entirely due to injury.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
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South Carolina sophomore Jake McCoy (23) reacts after striking out Clemson sophomore Collin Priest (99) during the top of the fourth inning of the Reedy River Rivalry at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C. Saturday, March 1, 2025.
South Carolina sophomore Jake McCoy (23) reacts after striking out Clemson sophomore Collin Priest (99) during the top of the fourth inning of the Reedy River Rivalry at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C. Saturday, March 1, 2025. | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The South Carolina Gamecocks baseball program is undergoing a period of transition in the 2026 offseason. As the Gamecocks are rebuilding with the new hire of Kevin Schnall as head coach, South Carolina lost several players from its 2026 season to the transfer portal. 

One of those includes left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy. He entered the transfer portal on June 1, and just a few weeks later he has found his new home. On June 22, McCoy announced via a post on his Instagram that he would be transferring to an SEC rival, in the Tennessee Volunteers. 

McCoy missed the entire 2026 season for South Carolina after he underwent Tommy John surgery in the preseason. Since he did not play for the Gamecocks, he took a redshirt for his 2026 season. He played his first two seasons for South Carolina in 2024 and 2025, and is a native of Fort Mill, S.C. 

As a sophomore in 2025, he started 14 games for South Carolina, and had four wins with 77 strikeouts across his 60 innings pitched. He finished with a 6.90 ERA. As a true freshman, he appeared in 12 games with one start, finishing 1-0 with 20 strikeouts. 

According to VolQuest at On3Sports, McCoy could potentially still declare for the 2026 MLB Draft. He is rated by Baseball America as the No. 148 prospect in his draft class.  

While of course you can't blame any player from transferring elsewhere for a better opportunity, seeing McCoy potentially go to an SEC rival stings a bit. South Carolina played the Vols in the SEC Tournament in May, with the Vols winning 11-6, which ended the Gamecocks' 2026 season. 

South Carolina's 2027 baseball season is expected to be finalized sometime this fall.

ALSO READ: Former Gamecock pitcher Tyler Pitzer returning to South Carolina via transfer portal

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