South Carolina Gamecocks News: The latest from Columbia over the holidays

The latest South Carolina Gamecocks news from the Holiday season, starting with some recruiting updates from the South Carolina football squad.

The Gamecocks were named a finalist for transfer portal offensive tackle Percy Lewis. The former Mississippi State starter was the #1-ranked junior college tackle in the class of 2021 and was the Bulldogs’ best lineman in the back half of the 2023 season.

As had been expected, transfer portal wide receiver commitment Jayden McGowen flipped his commitment to Boston College due to NIL reasons.

Shane Beamer and his staff offered several portal receivers who have reciprocated interest in the South Carolina football program. Gage Larvadain (Miami (OH)), Elijah Sarrat (James Madison), Jabre Barber (Troy), and Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (Louisville) are among the receivers on the Gamecocks’ radar.

4-star class of 2025 tight end Marshall Pritchett put the Gamecocks in his top-10.

4-star class of 2025 offensive lineman Chauncey Gooden put the Gamecocks inside his top-10.

Class of 2025 offensive line target Solomon Thomas announced a commitment to Florida State.

Carolina offered 4-star class of 2025 running back Bo Jackson (yes, you read that right, and, yes, he also plays baseball).

From the high school ranks, CJ Dixon (unranked defensive lineman from South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina) committed to the Gamecocks as a preferred walk-on. He was extremely productive in high school as one of the state’s leaders in sacks as a combo tackle/end.

An NFL Gamecock signed a new contract with an NFL Playoff team.

Defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth is now a member of the San Francisco 49ers. He is on the practice squad, but with the injury situation on the defensive line for the ‘9ers, he could get called up at any time. He is currently a depth backup behind fellow former Gamecock Javon Kinlaw.

Neither South Carolina basketball team lost.

Lamont Paris’ men’s squad picked up blowout wins over Elon and Florida A&M. The Fighting Quarter Zips are 12-1 heading into SEC play and are considered an NCAA Tournament team right now.

The #1-ranked women’s team whipped East Carolina on the road. The win over the Pirates moved Dawn Staley’s squad to 12-0 as SEC play begins this week.

Lamont Paris had a busy week of high school recruiting, but thankfully for Coach Paris, the recruits came to him.

The Chick-fil-A Classic was in Lexington at River Bluff High School, and the Gamecock headman spent some time recruiting some big-name players participating in the event. Most notably, Paris offered a scholarship and spoke to AJ Dybantsa, the #1 player in the class of 2025.

A 5-star Gamecock target picked another school over Dawn Staley's program.

In a somewhat unsurprising move, 5-star guard Jaloni Cambridge will not be a Gamecock. She joins her sister with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Two former Gamecocks in MLB were traded.

Pitcher Cody Morris is on the move from the Cleveland Guardians to the New York Yankees, and outfield TJ Hopkins is moving from the Cincinnati Reds to the San Francisco Giants.

Another former Gamecock is on the move in the coaching world.

Scott Wingo, who returned to South Carolina baseball as a volunteer assistant coach the past two seasons, will coach in an on-field role next year for the Manhattan Jaspers.