The South Carolina Gamecocks finished the 2023 season with an underwhelming 5-7 record. Looking to bounce back next season the Gamecocks are in desperate need of a strong transfer class, and so far they’ve done that.
South Carolina has been on fire recently in the transfer portal, as of now they have the 5th best transfer class in the country. Out of the 17 incoming transfers to the team, these are my top five standouts.
RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders
Rocket Sanders is by far the biggest name transferring to South Carolina. Sanders had a season-ending injury in 2023, but in 2022 he rushed for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. Sanders would’ve been a huge pickup for any team but for the Gamecocks it was like a wish come true due to their pitiful run game in 2023 (126 out of 130 teams).
Taking off!
Welcome home, @raheim_sanders! pic.twitter.com/axBxtpn7CW
— South Carolina Football (@GamecockFB) December 20, 2023
WR Jared Brown
Jared Brown is transferring in from Coastal Carolina and coming off two back-to-back years of 740+ receiving yards. After losing six WRs in the portal, including superstar WR Antwane “Juice” Wells to Ole Miss, South Carolina needed to make moves to fix this depleted WR room and Brown is a step in the right direction.
DL Kyle Kennard
Kyle Kennard is coming off his best season at Georgia Tech with 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception. South Carolina was in high need of defensive linemen after only getting 21 sacks the whole season, which is tied with Vanderbilt for the fewest in the SEC.
🐔🐔🐔 New HOME ! #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/91L9ynDk0P
— K9 (@KyleKennard1) December 15, 2023
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LB Demetrius Knight
Demetrius Knight had 96 total tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1.5 sacks in the 2023 season for the Charlotte 49ers. Picking up an LB was a big need for the Gamecocks due to losing starting LB Stone Blanton to Mississippi State, and freshman LB Grayson “Pup” Howard to Florida. Knight will be alongside star LB Debo Williams next season and could be a duo to look out for.
RB Jawarn Howell
Jawarn Howell had an excellent freshman season at SC State, putting up 809 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. The crazy thing is he did that with only 102 carries, meaning he averaged 7.9 yards per carry. Howell is an absolute hidden gem, and he’ll prove that this upcoming season with the Gamecocks.
— Jawarn Howell (@HowellJawarn) December 22, 2023
Having all these great transfers is good news for Shane Beamer and the South Carolina fans but we’ll have to wait and see if they can put things together next season.
