South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock finds new home via transfer portal

As is often the case in the era of the transfer portal, the South Carolina football program has seen a lot of roster transition this offseason. In particular, the Gamecocks lost a large number of players to the transfer portal from the wide receiver position and out of their offensive line room.

Most of these roster casualties weren't expected to be major parts of the equation for USC's 2024 season, and playing time/opportunity was a factor for some of the transfers.

One of the offensive linemen who left for a fresh start at a new school was Sidney Fugar, a transfer addition to the program last offseason. The former Western Illinois Leathernecks lineman spent just one season in Columbia, and though he was expected to be a long-term development project, he was forced into action last fall due to injury and struggled mightily, helping lead to his transfer decision.

Late on Monday, Fugar announced on social media that he had found a new home and had committed to the Baylor Bears.

Fugar was one of seven offensive linemen to exit the South Carolina football program early through the transfer portal or retirement, joining Jaxon Hughes (Texas Tech Red Raiders), Jaylen Nichols (Memphis Tigers), Grayson Mains (Temple Owls), JonDarius Morgan (UAB Blazers), Trai Jones (retirement), and Tyshawn Wannamaker (retirement).

To help recover some depth due to the depleting scholarship numbers up front, Carolina added transfer portal linemen Kamaar Bell (Florida Atlantic Owls), Aaryn Parks (Oklahoma Sooners), and Torricelli Simpkins (North Carolina Central Eagles). They also appear to be in the market for another transfer lineman.

Incoming freshman 5-star tackle Josiah Thompson, 4-star tackle Kam Pringle, and 4-star interior lineman Blake Franks also are new additions to the program. Thompson seems set to have a spot in the 2-deep and could push for a starting job.