South Carolina is certainly another school that is being hit by the transfer portal. After a disappointing season in 2025, when so many saw a lot of promise in the Gamecocks, head coach Shane Beamer will need to reset and head back to the drawing board, or else his job could be on the line next season.
There was a lot of hype around quarterback LaNorris Sellers heading into the 2025 season, and also around the South Carolina offense surrounding him. Wide receiver Nyck Harbor was set for a big year, and there was excitement around young tight end Michael Smith. However, injuries got in the way of Smith's year of promise, and now the Gamecocks won't get to see things through.
Smith announced he was intending to enter the transfer portal, and it will become official on Friday, January 2. In his true freshman season, Smith showed a lot of promise with 10 receptions for 106 yards, but in year two, Smith only appeared in four games due to injuries limiting him throughout the year.
This is not what South Carolina wanted for a young, promising player, especially with the struggles this team faced in 2025. Now, with Smith heading to the portal, transfer portal rankings are pouring salt into the wound with where they have Smith.
Sautrday Blitz has Michael Smith as a Top 10 tight end in the transfer portal
Not only is South Carolina losing a young, promising pass-catcher, but now he is going to go to another team, and they will get to reap the benefits of his talent. Saturday Blitz recently released its Top 10 tight ends in the transfer portal, and Smith, even with so few stats, found a way to break in.
These rankings show that Smith is the No. 9 tight end in the transfer portal, meaning that his youth and three years of eligibility left will be enticing to prospective teams. Smith absolutely could be a great player wherever he goes; he just has to work to stay healthy.
Now, Beamer will have to do some work of his own in order to bring in guys to help Sellers on the offensive side of the ball.