South Carolina Gamecocks News: The latest from the transfer portal, basketball, and a new baseball player

The latest South Carolina Gamecocks news, starting with a huge update from the transfer portal for the South Carolina football team.

Shane Beamer and his coaching staff have been on the move this offseason, and their efforts in the transfer portal have been at the forefront.

In the last week, the Gamecocks have added:

• Offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins (North Carolina Central)
• Wide receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (Louisville)
• Linebacker Demetrius Knight (Charlotte)
• Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (Miami (OH))
• Linebacker Bangally Kamara (Pittsburgh)
• Defensive back Buddy Mack (Pittsburgh; walk-on)
• Offensive lineman Aaryn Parks (Oklahoma)
• Defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine (Alabama)

They also had a handul of players enter the transfer portal and/or find new homes, including:

• Linebacker Grayson "Pup" Howard (Florida)
• Tight end/running back Kam Sandlin (Undecided)
• Linebacker Stone Blanton (Mississippi State)
• Defensive back KaJuan Banks (South Florida)
• Dominick Hill (Undecided; entered portal the first time before 2022)
• Gilber Edmond (Undecided; entered portal the first time before 2023)

Some transfer portal targets announced commitments to other schools:

• Wide receiver Jabre Barber (Texas A&M)
• Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
• Quarterback Malachi Nelson (Boise State)
• Quarterback Tate Rodemaker (Southern Miss)
• Offensive lineman Reuben Unije (Louisville)
• Defensive tackle Micaiah Overton (Arkansas State)

Even a South Carolina signee from the transfer portal made news. Tight end Brady Hunt (Ball State) committed to the Gamecocks in December, signed with USC, then decommitted behind the scenes, committed to Texas A&M privately, and then enrolled at South Carolina after all.

There was also a small amount of news from the traditional recruiting world.

4-star Columbia cornerback Onis Konanbanny released his top-10, but the Heathwood Hall standout did not include South Carolina on his list. In fact, the Gamecocks have yet to offer Konanbanny despite his extensive list of offers that includes some of the top programs in the country.

4-star running back target Daniel Hill committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Gamecocks had 9 signees involved in the two premier All-American games (the Under Armour All-American Game and the All-American Bowl). EDGE Dylan Stewart, tight end Michael Smith, kicker/punter Mason Love, quarterback Dante Reno, wide receiver Debron Gatling, cornerback Jalewis Solomon, and offensive tackle Kam Pringle were Under Armour All-Americans; offensive tackle Josiah Thompson and linebacker Fred "JayR" Johnson were All-American Bowl All-American.

A Gamecock assistant coach was fired.

Running backs coach Montario Hardesty was relieved of his duties last week. Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer will look to replace Hardesty soon. The Gamecocks' put up their worst-ever rushing average in 2023.

A graduating Gamecock will play in a college all-star game.

Joining Spencer Rattler (Senior Bowl), Xavier Legette (Senior Bowl), and Marcellas Dial (East-West Shrine Bowl) as a postseason all-star participant, offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo will play in the Hula Bowl.

Former South Carolina football star Ernest Jones set an all-time NFL record.

The Los Angeles Rams linebacker broke the Ram's franchise record for single-season tackles. Despite missing two games this season, Jones has 145 tackles, beating James Laurinaitis' record of 142 stops.

The South Carolina basketball teams are a combined 27-1, good for the best men's and women's combined record in the country. They swept Mississippi State this weekend, and the women also added a win over Florida earlier in the week.

Lamont Paris' team beat Mississippi State at home 68-62 to move to 13-1 overall and 1-0 in the SEC.

Dawn Staley's group beat Florida in Gainesville 89-66 to kickstart SEC play, and they beat Mississippi State on Sunday 85-66.

A couple of Gamecock basketball commits broke records.

4-star guard Eli Ellis had a 50-point explosion to set a new scoring record for Overtime Elite. He did it with a broken finger.

4-star forward Hayden Assemian set the Powdersville High School all-time records for blocked shots and rebounds, as well.

A 5-star enrolled early to join Dawn Staley's program.

Post player Adhel Tac is now a member of the South Carolina basketball team. However, she is injured and is expected to use her early enrollment to help with her rehab process.

Mark Kingston's South Carolina baseball team got in on the transfer portal action, adding an impact player who will be eligible this spring.

Former Florida and Florida State shortstop Jordan Carrion will be joining the program. The Gamecocks could use some help in the middle of the infield, and Carrion can provide that.

Two Gamecock baseball players were named to a preseason All-American team.

Right-handed bats Ethan Petry (RF) and Cole Messina (C) were named to Perfect Game's preseason All-American squad. Petry made the 1st-team, while Messina made the 3rd-team.