South Carolina Gamecocks news update from the last week in Columbia

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

EDGE Gilber Edmond, a former Gamecock who transferred to Florida State last offseason, is returning to Columbia. Edmond likely will play a rotational role for Carolina for his final season of eligibility.

Quarterback Robby Ashford committed to the Gamecocks from Auburn. He will battle with LaNorris Sellers for the starting job, but if he does not win it (Sellers should be considered the favorite), he could still play a role with his running ability. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Kamaar Bell, a starting guard from Florida Atlantic, also committed to the Gamecocks from the transfer portal. He has one more year of eligibility left and will compete for a spot in the two-deep up front.

The Gamecocks lost a couple of offensive linemen, too.

Reports came out late in the week that Trai Jones was leaving the game of football. With one more year of eligibility, Jones was expected to fight for a starting job on the interior of the offensive line in 2024. He started games in both 2022 and 2023. Coach Beamer did not completely dismiss the idea of Jones' return, but the reports indicate that he will not be back.

Shortly after the Jones news surfaced, word came down that Tyshawn Wannamaker was not on the roster. Wannamaker has starting experience at right tackle and rotational experience at guard, but he will not play in 2024. Beamer was not asked about Wannamaker during his media availability.

Rumors had surfaced earlier in the offseason that Jakai Moore would give up football. However, Coach Beamer was asked about Moore on Friday, and he said that the experienced player will be on the team in 2024 and has been with the Gamecocks in workouts. He has one year of eligibility left and has starting experience at both guard and tackle.

In traditional recruiting news, the Gamecocks had two really high-profile players on campus as part of Junior Day.

The nation's #1 athlete Jordan Young visited Columbia this weekend.

Young was joined by top 2025 Gamecock quarterback target Ryan Montgomery.

The South Carolina football coaching staff looks a little different now than it did a week ago.

Pete Lembo, who served as the Gamecocks' special teams coordinator and associate head coach, is leaving to take the head coaching job at the University of Buffalo.

Running backs coach Marquel Blackwell's hire was made official. He is replacing the fired Montario Hardesty.

Jody Wright, who left the previous week to take the head coaching job at Murray State, is taking special teams Tyler Zielenske with him to coach the Racers' special teams.

Some former South Carolina football players have made their way to the NFL's Conference Championship games.

Jadeveon Clowney (Baltimore Ravens), Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers), and Javon Kinlaw (San Francisco 49ers) will play this weekend for opportunities to go to the Super Bowl. Clowney and the Ravens will take on the Kansas City Chiefs at home, and Samuel, Kinlaw, and the '9ers will play against the Detroit Lions at home.

A couple of former Gamecocks signed new professional contracts.

Wide receiver Damiere Byrd signed with the Houston Texans prior to the team's NFL Divisional Round game.

Safety Devonni Reed signed with Reyes de Jalisco in La Liga de Americano Football Profesional

Lamont Paris' South Carolina basketball squad had a 1-1 week, but it went a little differently than many expected.

The Gamecocks lost at home to the Georgia Bulldogs 74-69 after horrible officiating, worse free throw shooting, and some bad offensive stretches. Wing Myles Stute also was injured after a dirty hook-and-hold play. He will miss at least 2 weeks with a shoulder strain.

Carolina then turned around and put the final nail in the Arkansas Razorbacks' NCAA Tournament hopes coffin by winning convincingly in Fayetteville by a score of 77-64.

Gamecock commitment Eli Ellis did what Eli Ellis does.

For the second time this season, Eli Ellis dropped 50 points in a game. The junior guard leads all of Overtime Elite in scoring with over 35 points per game.

The women's South Carolina basketball squad was dominant once again last week.

The Gamecocks beat Kentucky 98-36 in a hilariously one-sided affair. Ashlyn Watkins threw down a dunk in the game, as well.

On Sunday, USC traveled to Texas A&M and won 99-64 in College Station.

The Gamecocks will play on College GameDay on Thursday against defending National Champs LSU.

At 8:00 on Thursday on ESPN and the ESPN app, South Carolina basketball will play the LSU Tigers in Baton Rogue.

Former Gamecock A'ja Wilson was the first-ever recipient of a new major award.

Wilson became the first winner of the Tamika Catchings Award, awarded to the player who best combines on-court excellence and quality relationships with the media.

South Carolina baseball received differing placements in preseason polls.

After a 13th spot in Perfect Game's preseason top-25, USC is 11th in College Baseball Central's preseason poll, but the Gamecocks are 25th according to Baseball America.