The South Carolina Gamecocks continue to aggressively shape their 2026 roster, adding Purdue offensive lineman Hank Purvis as the latest transfer portal commitment. Purvis’ decision to join the Gamecocks comes shortly after fellow interior lineman Carter Miller committed from UCF, giving South Carolina two new offensive line reinforcements in the early days of portal activity.
Purvis is a 6-foot-5, 360-pound guard that will bring Big Ten experience to Columbia after appearing in 10 games for the Purdue Boilermakers, starting all final six matchups of the 2025 season. Ranked among the top interior offensive linemen in the portal cycle, Purvis adds both size and versatility to a Gamecocks unit that has struggled with depth and consistency up front.
This commitment marks a noteworthy moment in South Carolina’s early portal class, as it is the second offensive line pledge following Miller’s announcement earlier on Tuesday. That kind of quick succession of commitments underscores how Shane Beamer and his staff are prioritizing trenches upgrades as part of the program’s offseason rebuild.
How This Fits South Carolina’s Roster Reset
Adding two interior linemen in one day signals the urgency South Carolina has to fortify a front that struggled to protect the quarterback and sustain the run in 2025. Purvis’ experience in a Power Five conference complements Miller’s center/guard skill set, giving South Carolina options up and down the interior.
South Carolina is positioning itself as an active participant in the early transfer portal cycle, a trend that could continue as departures leave many gaps to fill.
Looking Ahead
With the Transfer Portal open through Jan. 16, Gamecock Nation should expect more announcements as the week goes on. South Carolina's approach suggests that the coaching staff will continue targeting proven contributors who can help the team compete in the SEC immediately.