South Carolina's roster turnover continued this week as one of quarterback LaNorris Sellers' most productive targets officially found a new home out of the Transfer Portal. Wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs has committed to the Miami Hurricanes, a move first reported by On3. While Jacobs’ departure is a tangible loss for the Gamecocks’ offense, it also underscores how quickly the receiver room is being reshaped heading into a pivotal 2026 season for South Carolina. Jacobs transferred to South Carolina ahead of the 2024 campaign and played a limited role in his first year in Columbia. The redshirt sophomore emerged as a reliable playmaker during the 2025 season in an offense that searched for weekly consistency. He totaled 32 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns, averaging an impressive 17.1 yards per catch.
A Florida native, Jacobs finished the year as South Carolina’s second-leading receiver behind Nyck Harbor, while leading the team in receptions. His on-field chemistry with Sellers grew steadily as the season progressed, and his ability to stretch the field made him a valuable piece of the passing attack.
Gamecocks Answer the Loss With Nitro
South Carolina, however, wasted no time to offset Jacobs’ exit, landing Purdue transfer Nitro Tuggle, one of the more intriguing receiver additions of the portal cycle.
Tuggle, Purdue’s second-leading receiver in 2025, brings a blend of physicality and upside that fits the direction of the Gamecock offense heading into 2026. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound wideout caught 34 passes for 500 yards and four touchdowns this past season, averaging 14.7 yards per reception.
Before his stop at Purdue, Tuggle spent the 2024 season at Georgia, where he appeared in eight games and recorded three catches for 34 yards. His breakout came after transferring to Purdue, where he quickly became a featured target.
While Jacobs provided explosive moments, Tuggle offers a more complete profile with reliable hands, strong route running, and proven durability across a full season.
A New Offensive Direction in Columbia
The timing of the receiver turnover matters, also. South Carolina is entering the 2026 season with a new offensive coordinator after head coach Shane Beamer hired Kendal Briles from TCU following the dismissal of Mike Shula. The scheme shift places a premium on receivers who can win consistently at all three levels of the field.
Returning pieces like Harbor and Jayden Sellers provide continuity, while portal additions like Tuggle and Oklahoma transfer Jayden Gibson, reshape the ceiling of the unit. South Carolina lost a productive receiver in Vandrevius Jacobs, but the Gamecocks didn’t downgrade. It’s an upgrading fit with the flexibility the program needs as they work towards the 2026 campaign.