The first transfer portal window has been open since December, and with the deadline quickly approaching, South Carolina is in urgent need of reinforcements. The portal will officially close for new entries on December 28, but another window will open in the spring, and players affected by coaching changes will have 30 days to make a decision.

While South Carolina has had both successes and setbacks in the portal, the losses are currently outweighing the gains. With several players declaring for the NFL Draft and others entering the portal, the Gamecocks urgently need help, especially on offense.

On defense, South Carolina has made some strong moves, bringing in three promising young defenders to fill the void left by players like Kyle Kennard and Demetrius Knight Jr. However, the Gamecocks’ offensive needs are far more pressing. The team has lost seven pass catchers to the portal—three tight ends and four wide receivers. Additionally, star running back Raheim Sanders declared for the NFL Draft, leaving a major gap in the backfield.

Shane Beamer

With less than two weeks until the transfer portal closes, here are South Carolina’s three biggest needs:

1. Tight End
   South Carolina has lost three tight ends to the portal, and their top producer, Joshua Simon, who led the team in receiving yards, has declared for the NFL. The departure of Connor Cox to other major programs further thins the depth at the position. Currently, the Gamecocks’ tight ends include Brady Hunt, Moe Brown, Michael Smith, and freshman Mike Tyler. Recently, Beamer added Kentucky transfer Jordan Dingle to the roster, but with quarterback LaNorris Sellers relying heavily on tight ends, the team needs a reliable pass catcher in this role—something Dingle has yet to prove at the college level.
2. Running Back
   With Sanders leaving for the NFL, South Carolina has no clear No. 1 running back. After Sanders, the next leading rushers were quarterbacks LaNorris Sellers and Robby Ashford. The next running back on the list is Oscar Adaway III, who is nearing the end of his college eligibility and could be moving on. There are discussions about Alabama transfer Justice Haynes joining the Gamecocks after visiting on December 20th. Haynes, who rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns this past season, could provide the team with a reliable workhorse back. South Carolina needs a player who can not only contribute on the ground but also provide solid blocking to protect Sellers.
3. Wide Receiver
   While South Carolina is keeping some key wide receivers, like Nyck Harbor, Jared Brown, and Mazeo Bennett Jr., none of them led the team in receiving this season. Tight end Joshua Simon and running back Raheim Sanders were the top two pass catchers for the Gamecocks, making the wide receiver position a glaring need. South Carolina has talent at wide receiver but lacks a standout playmaker, which is exactly what Beamer should target in the portal. Former NC State wide receiver KC Concepcion visited the Gamecocks and could be the game-changing talent they need in this role.