Former Gamecock defender, who started a few games, lands with new team

Antoine Wilder left South Carolina football after the spring, looking for a place where he could play more.

It appears he’s found it.

Wilder was listed on the roster for North Carolina A&T, an FCS team in the MEAC. He follows a path former receiver/running back Jabari Smith took before last season.

In three seasons, Wilder made four starts in 20 appearances. He had 21 career tackles, playing both the nickel and strongside linebacker positions.

He’s spent a little time at safety late last season and missed spring with an elbow injury. He’s currently listed as a 5-foot-10, 198-pound linebacker.

He’ll follow the footsteps of Smith, who found a second life in Greensboro. After being an opening-night starter in 2016 before falling out of the lineup, Smith was NC A&T’s No. 2 rusher (389 yards) and No. 3 receiver (25 catches for 277 yards) on an undefeated team.

Other Gamecocks who left the team after spring

DB Antoine Wilder

RB C.J. Freeman - Now at Iowa Western Community College

LB Davonne Bowen - Took a medical redshirt

OL Trey Derouen

DL Aaron Thompson

This story was originally published July 17, 2018 at 4:38 PM.