South Carolina football fans have been following the transfer portal closely since the season ended. However, with all the movement off of the Gamecocks' roster (over 20 outgoing transfers so far) and the influx of new faces committing to the program (over 10 incoming transfers so far), a non-scholarship move might slip through the cracks of the news cycle.
On Thursday, Chris Clark of GamecockCentral announced that Pittsburgh Panther defensive back Buddy Mack was enrolling at USC joining the South Carolina football program.
Originally part of the high school class of 2020, Mack has one season of eligibility remaining.
The former Byrnes High School Rebel has been a reserve on the Pittsburgh defense (primarily at safety) during his four years in the ACC. He also was a major special teams contributor in the earlier parts of his career.
Mack is walking on to the Gamecock football team and is expected to help provide some depth and coverage unit help for special teams coordinator Pete Lembo.
A former 3-star prospect in the '20 cycle, Mack was an All-State player as a senior and played in the 2019-2020 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas alongside current and former Gamecocks like Luke Doty, OD Fortune, Trai Jones, Ger-Cari Caldwell, Darryl Ware, and Tonka Hemingway.
Mack is the second Pittsburgh Panther to announce a commitment to the South Carolina football team this offseason as big defensive tackle Deandre Jules pledged his services to defensive line coach Travian Robertson back in December.
The Gamecocks are currently recruiting another Panther from the transfer portal, as well. Linebacker Bangally Kamara visited Columbia this week, and with the Gamecocks losing both Stone Blanton (Mississippi State) and Pup Howard (Florida) to SEC rivals in the transfer portal, they are in the market for help at the second level of the defense.