South Carolina Football: Updating the Transfer Portal Tracker for the Gamecocks

Since the transfer portal opened on Jan. 2, South Carolina has been all-in on adding impact transfers to help the roster in 2026. Here's a quick look at who is coming in and who is heading out.

Sep 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak (65) lines up against Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Bryson Eason (20) during the first quarter at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

South Carolina had several needs to fill on the roster prior to the transfer portal window opening on Friday Jan. 2. Now with the portal closing in two days (Jan. 16), here is a quick look at who will be suiting up for the Gamecocks in 2026 and, in case you missed it, who will be playing elsewhere next fall.

Before getting into the incoming and outgoing transfers, big news comes on Wednesday morning as starting left tackle for each of the past two seasons, Josiah Thompson, has announced he will exit the transfer portal and return to the Gamecocks for his junior season. Thompson had a breakout season taking over the left tackle spot as a true freshman, but, as did the majority of the offensive line in 2025, had a down year this past season. If he can take the next step in his development, his addition with Jacarrius Peak could go a long way towards offensive success next season.

Transfer Portal Additions:

Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Nitro Tuggle runs with the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Kaleb Patterson (1), linebacker James Kreutz (41) and defensive back Miles Scott (10) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

• Four-Star OT Jacarrius Peak
• Four-Star DL Tomiwa Durojaiye
• Three-Star RB Jabree Coleman
• Three-Star OL Emmanuel Poku
• Three-Star DL Kelby Collins
• Three-Star DL Drew Collins
• Three-Star DB Quay'Sheed Scott
• Three-Star DL Jordan Thomas
• Three-Star WR Nitro Tuggle
• Three-Star OT Seth Smith
• Three-Star RB Sam Dixon
• Three-Star IOL Dayne Arnett
• Three-Star WR Jayden Gibson
• Three-Star IOL Hank Purvis
• Three-Star IOL Carter Miller
• K Upton Bellanfant
• LS Emmett Rhoades

Jacarrius Peak is arguably the biggest fish landed among the incoming transfers for South Carolina. With the losses specifically at offensive tackle, more on that below, Peak was one of the best players in the portal and Shane Beamer won that battle. He spent three years at NC State and will come into South Carolina as a redshirt junior.

Outgoing Transfers:

Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs (4) makes a reception on his way to a 74-yard touchdown against the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

• Four-Star WR Vandrevius Jacobs (Miami)
• Three-Star IOL Ryan Brubaker
• Three-Star OT Jatavius Shivers
• Three-Star EDGE Jaylen Brown (LSU)
• Three-Star IOL Boaz Stanley (Purdue)
• Three-Star EDGE Taeshawn Alston
• Three-Star OT Tree Bablade (Nebraska)
• Three-Star QB Air Noland (Memphis)
• Three-Star OT Cason Henry (Louisville)
• Three-Star WR Brian Rowe Jr. (UCLA)
• Three-Star IOL Trovon Baugh (Texas A&M)
• Three-Star LB Jaron Willis (Kansas)
• Three-Star DL Zavion Hardy (Baylor)
• Three-Star IOL Nick Sharpe (Michigan State)
• Three-Star TE Michael Smith (Syracuse)
• Two-Star IOL Rodney Newsome II
• OT Campbell Vandiver
• CB Myles Norwood
• DL Chase Kibble
• OT Mac Walters (Appalachian State)
• K Peyton Argent
• WR Emazon Littlejohn (Western Michigan)

Shane Beamer brought in a lot of change on the offensive side of the ball which forced the staff and team to make hard decisions about that side of the ball for 2026. Losing WR Vandrevius Jacobs certainly came as a surprise to those outside the building, but the Gamecocks brought in several pieces that should point towards growth on that side of the ball.

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More from Gamecocks on SI:

• South Carolina Adds Pair of Edge Rushers in the Transfer Portal; What It Means
• South Carolina Football: Gamecocks Add DL Tomiwa Durojaiye Out of the Transfer Portal
• South Carolina Adds Trio of Players to Bolster Offense for 2026
• South Carolina Gamecocks Land Massive Transfer Portal Offensive Lineman