Former FSU Starting Defensive End Visiting SEC Program

Florida State has essentially turned South Carolina into a feeder program over the last couple of years. The Seminoles have landed five former Gamecocks out of the NCAA Transfer Portal since 2021; safety Jammie Robinson, defensive end Keir Thomas, offensive tackle Jazston Turnetine, tight end Jaheim Bell, and defensive end Gilber Edmond.

Now it appears that South Carolina is fighting back. According to On3, former Florida State defensive end Derrick McLendon II began an Official Visit to Columbia on Wednesday. McLendon is a graduate transfer so he's allowed to visit schools outside of the transfer portal windows.

The Gamecocks are in the market for help on the edge after losing two starters from last year - Edmond to Florida State and Jordan Burch to Oregon. McLendon has two years of eligibility remaining and at the very least has the skill set to be a rotational player.

For two consecutive springs, Florida State has seen a player move on from its defense who was a starter the previous season. Last year, cornerback Jarvis Brownlee parted ways with the program prior to the conclusion of spring practice. This time around, it was McLendon who decided to search for a new opportunity.

The Georgia native started off the spring with the team, even speaking to the media following the Seminoles' first padded practice on March 10. McLendon never returned to practice following Florida State's spring break before eventually entering the portal last week.

McLendon is coming off a career year where he appeared in all 13 games, with 12 starts, and totaled 37 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. Following the season, He was one of six Seminoles honored with the Bill McGrotha award, which is presented to the top humanitarians on the team.

He spent the majority of his career as a reserve in Tallahassee. McLendon appeared in 38 games over four years and recorded 60 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries at Florida State. He originally signed with the program under former head coach Willie Taggart before sticking with the Seminoles during the transition to Mike Norvell.

The Seminoles are bringing back star defensive end Jared Verse while Patrick Payton looks primed for a breakout campaign. Edmond and Byron Turner Jr. are expected to contribute as well.

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