By Mark Pszonak
With action in the transfer portal slowing down, it is time to take a closer look at how each P4 school did during this cycle. Up now are the South Carolina Gamecocks
The skinny: Entering head coach Shane Beamer’s fourth season at South Carolina, the Gamecocks are coming off their first non-bowl season of his tenure. South Carolina has been difficult to figure out recently, as they’ll play like a top-level team one week and then one of the worst in the SEC the next. There is plenty of talent on the roster, even after several notable losses to the portal, but will there be overall improvement in 2024?
Total # entries into portal: 30
Total # of scholarship players who entered portal: 26
Number of scholarship players who withdrew: 0
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Key losses: DL Xzavier McLeod (Georgia), WR Antwane Wells (Ole Miss), LB Stone Blanton (Mississippi State), LB Grayson Howard (Florida), DB Keenan Nelson Jr. (Ohio State), K Mitch Jeter (Notre Dame), RB Mario Anderson (Memphis)
Key additions: RB Raheim Sanders (Arkansas), WR Jared Brown (Coastal Carolina), WR Ahmari Bruce-Huggins (Louisville), DL Kyle Kennard (Georgia Tech), DL Gilber Edmond (Florida State), LB Demetrius Knight (Charlotte)
Final thoughts: There were several issues in 2023, with the most glaring being an offensive line that had problems blocking and a defensive line that couldn’t create a pass rush. Because of this, other positions faltered due to their attempt to make up for the lackluster play on the lines. Offensive line help was brought in through the portal, but mostly as depth, so the hope is that the returning players continue to improve. Defensively, Kyle Kennard is the most important addition, as he will be relied upon to become the pass rusher the Gamecocks have been recently missing. Aside from the lines, the wide receiver position had to be addressed after the unit suffered significant losses to graduation and the portal. Jared Brown and Ahmari Bruce-Huggins should help immediately and become vital parts of the offense. The Gamecocks also hope that the addition of Raheim Sanders boosts the running game. Sanders dealt with injuries in 2023 but was one of the more dynamic SEC backs in 2022. For now, South Carolina should be considered a wild card in the SEC until they can show more positive consistency on the field.
