South Carolina Gamecocks News: The latest from the transfer portal, recruiting, and two elite basketball teams

The latest South Carolina Gamecocks news from the last week, starting with a look into what happened in the transfer portal.

In the last week, South Carolina football added quarterback Davis Beville (Oklahoma) and re-added former Gamecock EDGE Gilber Edmond (Florida State). Beville will be a walk-on, and Edmond is returning to Columbia after transferring to Florida State last offseason.

Former Gamecocks Zavier Short (Appalachian State), Felix Hixon (Middle Tennessee State), Isaiah Norris (North Carolina Central), and Grayson Mains (Temple) found new homes in the transfer portal. Quarterback Tanner Bailey transferred to Auburn but will not be playing football.

Some classic recruiting news came across the wire, as well.

4-star Gamecock EDGE target Zahir Mathis revealed his plans to commit last week, and he went on to pledge his services to Ohio State.

5-star EDGE/linebacker Zayden Walker, who is the younger brother of new Gamecock Jalewis Solomon, plans to visit soon. He recently named the Gamecocks as one of six finalists.

Former Ohio State commitment Jontae Gilbert will be on campus soon. The Gamecocks have been named finalists in Gilbert's top-7 and a more recent top-10 (yes, the top-10 came after the top-7 list).

4-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery will be on campus next weekend. South Carolina football has been called the "front runner" to land the '25 QB.

3-star wide receiver Edward Coleman named the Gamecocks to his list of favorites.

The Gamecocks' coaching staff is going to look pretty different next season.

After firing running backs coach Montario Hardesty two weeks ago, Shane Beamer hired James Coley to be the team's wide receivers coach. Tight ends coach Jody Wright left to become the head coach at Murray State, and wide receivers coach Justin Stepp is expected to slide over to the tight ends job to replace Wright and make room for Coley. Marquel Blackwell will be the team's new running backs coach.

The Gamecocks' staff could be set. However, Justin Stepp only has been a wide receivers coach during his career. If he wishes to continue coaching receivers, it won't be at USC. He will be the tight ends coach for the South Carolina football program if he stays in Columbia. No defensive staff moves have been made so far.

A special teams analyst, Tyler Zielenske, is leaving the Gamecocks to follow Jody Wright to Murray State. Zielenski will be Murray State's special teams coordinator.

New Gamecock received lots of praise from his All-American showing.

5-star offensive tackle Josiah Thompson enrolled at Carolina last week, and he was named the best blocker of the All-American Bowl.

A former Gamecock was selected as an All-Pro by multiple publications.

Both the NFLPA and the AP have named former Gamecock Keisean Nixon the 1st-team All-Pro at kickoff returner. He led the league in total kickoff return yards and average yards per return.

Lamont Paris' Gamecocks went on the road for two SEC contests last week.

Carolina lost in ugly fashion to Alabama 74-47 but bounced back to knock off Missouri 71-69 in overtime.

A Gamecock target is now the consensus top player in the country.

Class of 2025 versatile wing/forward AJ Dybantsa has passed fellow top prospect Cameron Boozer in some of the rankings to become the consensus #1 according to all four major recruiting outlets. The Gamecocks have offered and visited with him, but USC has to be considered a longshot.

Dawn Staley's squad also picked up a road win against Missouri.

Just like how the two South Carolina basketball teams beat Mississippi State at home last weekend to "sweep" the Bulldogs, both the men's and women's team beat Missouri on the road last week. Coach Staley's group beat the Tigers 81-57.

Speaking of Coach Staley's basketball team...

Two USC 2024 signees were nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game. Guard Maddy McDaniel and forward Joyce Edwards will find out if they made the game next week. Both players have strong cases for selection.

A former South Carolina baseball player is back in garnet and black as a coach.

Former USC infielder LT Tolbert has joined Mark Kingston's coaching staff in a part-time role and will coach 1st base and help out with the infielders.

A current Gamecock player keeps getting offseason love.

Ethan Petry was named the #2 sophomore in all of college baseball by Perfect Game.