South Carolina quarterback Air Noland plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3 Sports, marking the latest shift in the Gamecocks’ evolving quarterback landscape.
Noland was one of the most highly touted quarterback recruits in the 2024 class, ranking as a Top-5 quarterback in the Rivals Industry Rankings. He arrived in Columbia with significant upside after beginning his college career at Ohio State, where he redshirted as part of a Buckeyes team that went on to win the College Football Playoff national championship.
His talent was never in question. His opportunity on the field in Columbia, however, was always going to be.
South Carolina firmly handed the keys to LaNorris Sellers for the season, whose emergence reshaped the program’s offensive identity and long-term vision. Sellers’ grip on the starting job left little margin for patience behind him, especially for a highly regarded quarterback who needed live reps to continue progressing.
What Air Noland brings to the portal market
Noland remains one of the more intriguing quarterback options expected to hit the portal this cycle. He is athletic and still largely untapped at the college level. Programs looking for a high-ceiling passer with elite recruiting credentials will circle his name quickly.
This move will also be a fresh start for Noland, where he can find a program with a clearer depth chart and system fit. Finding a good fti could unlock the version of Noland coaches once raved about coming out of high school.
What it means for South Carolina
While it is a loss for the Gamecocks, it also brings more clarity. With rumors of Sellers negotiating his return, the QB room will be streamlined around him. And with new coaches, developmental resources, and future planning aligned accordingly, it is smart roster management in an era where indecision costs seasons.
Shane Beamer and his staff have consistently shown a willingness to let players pursue opportunity elsewhere rather than linger in limbo. It is an approach that builds credibility in locker rooms and on the recruiting trail, even when departures make headlines.