South Carolina had one of the best defenses in the SEC this season, which is a big thing when you are in the same conference as teams with defenses like Georgia's, Texas's, and Alabama's. The Gamecocks defensive line was one of the best in the SEC, with the best defensive player in the SEC in Kyle Kennard.
Head coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White knew they needed to hit the transfer portal to bring in veteran talent to a defense that was breaking apart. Luckily for South Carolina, they have done just that and just brought in a big-name FCS linebacker.
South Carolina just landed the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Andrew Jones from Grambling.
BREAKING: Grambling State transfer LB Andrew Jones has committed to South Carolina, per @Hayesfawcett3🤙
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 19, 2024
Jones recorded 111 tackles and 3 sacks this season.https://t.co/GiijMLvlDm pic.twitter.com/BobP5XhWuC
Jones is joining a defense that just lost their top three linebackers Debo Williams, Demetrius Knight Jr., and Bam Martin-Scott, plus a few other linebackers that hit the transfer portal. With one year of eligibility left, Jones, who started at Memphis before heading to Grambling, was the No. 9 linebacker in the portal and picked the Gamecocks over other big schools like SEC rival Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, and over 20 other schools.
The Grambling transfer had a big season this past year, which helped him win Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with 122 total tackles, 57 solo tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown.
Jones is the fifth player to choose the Gamecocks out of the transfer portal and the third player that Beamer has brought in on the defensive side of the ball.