Former South Carolina safety DQ Smith officially enters transfer portal

The college football season might be less than a week away, but the wild, wild west of players entering the transfer portal continues. In the wake of court rulings declaring several players newly eligible thanks to the NCAA rule change that gives players five years instead of the previous four, players have found themselves with another shot at joining college football teams.

One of those is former South Carolina safety DQ Smith. The Columbia, S.C. native, who spent his last four seasons with the Gamecocks officially entered the portal. The news was first reported by CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer: 

Over his four seasons at South Carolina from 2022-2025, he finished with 228 total tackles, three forced fumbles and had five interceptions.  At his Pro Day in March, he had an impressive 22 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press. 

He was not invited to the NFL's Scouting Combine and went undrafted during April's NFL Draft. Although he was invited to several team's rookie camps this past spring, he didn't make a roster. He last tried out for the Minnesota Vikings earlier this month, according to ESPN. But since he did not make the team and appears to be still not on an NFL roster, entering the transfer portal seems to be the best option for him. 

Smith's new eligibility, along with 15 other players, came down last week stemming from a lawsuit filed in the state of Louisiana. The case is one of several lawsuits that have been filed in state and federal courts, as a result of Federal Judge Charlotte Sweeney's July 31 ruling that allows all athletes who started their career in 2022-23 to be eligible for a fifth season. 

The other former players declared eligible in the Louisiana suit include former Ole Miss players in Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris and Wydett Williams, former LSU linebacker Jack Plyburn, Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka and Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson. 

Several players granted the extra year are currently on NFL rosters, making the rulings and entire situation even more head-spinning. 

Some of those players have officially entered the transfer portal, including Wright and Tuihalamaka. The former Fighting Irish star has already found a new home, as Tuihalamaka signed with LSU and Lane Kiffin on Friday.

The NCAA did notch a slight legal victory in court as an appeals court granted a stay of Judge Sweeney's ruling which declared several other athletes eligible. That stay, granted by the Tenth Circuit, does not affect Johnson and the other players involved in the state Louisiana TRO. 

 Will DQ Smith return to South Carolina?

Although it was seen as a possibility when Smith first was named one of the players eligible, it appears unlikely at this point. Gamecock Central reported that a return to Columbia is unlikely.  

In the clearest sign that South Carolina was moving on from Smith, the Gamecocks signed former App State defensive back Ethan Johnson over the weekend.

SEC Commissioner has spoken out against former players who were in the NFL returning to college teams. But at this point, players are free to transfer to schools within the conference. 

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