South Carolina’s offseason roster turnover continues to grow, as another experienced contributor is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal. According to reports, senior offensive lineman Rodney Newsom Jr. plans to leave the Gamecocks once the portal officially opens Friday, seeking a new program for his final year of eligibility.
Newsom joined South Carolina ahead of the 2025 season after transferring from Western Kentucky and quickly became a depth piece along the offensive front. He started three games for the Gamecocks and appeared throughout the season, logging 223 total snaps — primarily at center — per Pro Football Focus. His versatility along the interior line made him a valuable option during a season marked by inconsistency up front.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 310 pounds, Newsom brings a lengthy and well-traveled college résumé. Before arriving in Columbia, he played all 13 games for Western Kentucky in 2024, earning 11 starts. His earlier stops included a season at Itawamba Community College in 2023 and time at Memphis from 2020 to 2022, though he departed the Tigers program midway through the 2022 campaign.
South Carolina endured a difficult 2025 season, finishing 4–8 overall and winning just one SEC game — a 35–13 home victory over Kentucky. Offensive line struggles were a recurring issue, contributing to inconsistency on offense and mounting pressure across the roster.
Head coach Shane Beamer, set to enter his sixth season in 2026, has already seen significant attrition. Newsom becomes one of 16 Gamecocks expected to hit the transfer portal, including five offensive linemen, highlighting the magnitude of the roster overhaul facing the program this offseason.
With the portal exodus underway, South Carolina is expected to be aggressive in both high school recruiting and the transfer market as it looks to rebuild depth, stabilize the offensive line, and reverse momentum heading into 2026.
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