Last week, the South Carolina football program lost a former high school All-American from its roster. Wide receiver Kelton Henderson, a redshirt freshman who hadn't played yet for the Gamecocks, was no longer on the online roster and reports surfaced that he planned to enter the transfer portal when it reopens later in April.
Rumors swirled about the former 4-star prospect, but nothing concrete came to light regarding why the Florida native was no longer with the Gamecocks.
During his press conference on Tuesday, South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer confirmed that Kelton Henderson had been dismissed from the program. Beamer did go out of his way to say that he "thinks a lot of Kelton" and that he cares about his former player. The only reason he gave for the dismissal was that Henderson did not meet the "standard" of a football player at USC and that it was not based on one event but a "body of work."
The dismissal announcement contrasted with the arrest-related dismissal announcement surrounding Monteque Rhames, Anthony Rose, and Cameron Upshaw last winter and the attitude-based dismissal of Xzavier McLeod mid-season. Beamer did not provide any details on Rhames, Rose, and Upshaw as a legal issue was at play, and he noticeably did not say anything nice about McLeod or his exit from Columbia.
Henderson was a bit buried on the depth chart for the Gamecocks as the team is overloaded with receivers whose best spot is in the slot. His dismissal opens up additional opportunities for other young receivers like Mazeo Bennett and Debron Gatling to get the practice reps necessary to fight for playing time behind the veterans.
The Gamecocks have an intra-squad scrimmage this weekend as they continue working through spring practice. The Garnet and Black Spring Game is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST on April 20th.