What South Carolina’s transfer portal additions mean for Gamecocks
Shane Beamer has continued to man the phone lines.
Even while tweeting a video from a tropical local Saturday, Beamer and his staff remained hot on the recruiting trail as South Carolina landed four transfers between Saturday and Monday.
But the Gamecocks aren’t just snagging bodies from the all-giving transfer portal. Beamer’s squad is plugging holes with difference makers. That’s what makes this run all the more impressive.
“I had a chance to be in South Carolina early in the season to see it firsthand,” ESPN personality Paul Finebaum on Dec. 14 on his daily show. “I realize that was early, but what I saw was incredible. I saw a fan base, especially students, who are enamored with Shane Beamer, who love what he says. He has this infectious personality. I think he won some big games, and the recruiting is proof of that.”
South Carolina has worked the transfer portal tirelessly since Beamer took over in December 2020. There are recruiting-focused staffers whose entire job is to quite literally to monitor what players are jumping into the portal and who could fit at USC.
The Gamecocks brought in nine transfers a season ago — 10 if you include Zeb Noland. Six played significant snaps, one (Karon Prunty) never suited up at South Carolina, and the other three made contributions as depth pieces. That’s a hit rate just about every coach in America would take.
Where last year’s transfer class and this offseason’s group differ, though, is in the type of player who’s now landing in Columbia.
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler could’ve played just about anywhere in the country when he decided to leave Norman. Short of QB Caleb Williams — the man who took Rattler’s starting gig with the Sooners and later ended up in the portal himself — Rattler was arguably the most prized signal-caller in this year’s transfer class to date. He’s now a Gamecock.
OU tight end Austin Stogner falls in a similar boat. He spurned Ohio State and Iowa State to sign with South Carolina. Receiver Antwane Wells turned his torching of FCS defenses at James Madison into reported offers from Auburn, North Carolina, Louisville, Miami and Mississippi State. He, too, is heading to USC.
Throw in Wake Forest running back Christian Beal-Smith — the leading rusher on a Demon Deacons squad that won 11 games in 2021 — former N.C. State standout defensive lineman Terrell Dawkins and Central Michigan safety Devonni Reed, and South Carolina’s transfer class oozes with immediate potential.
“Offensively, we looked great against Auburn, we looked great against Florida,” head coach Shane Beamer said after downing North Carolina 38-21 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30. “We all saw us at Texas A&M and Missouri and Clemson. ... I’m well aware we have to be more consistent (offensively).”
Roster construction isn’t an exact science, but college football programs do their due diligence. It’s made more complicated with extra eligibility being doled via the 2020 season that was played amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Landing a player like Rattler, too, puts college football on notice.
Wells, according to his former quarterback Cole Johnson, chose South Carolina in part due to the settled quarterback situation. Stogner chose USC largely due to his history with Beamer, but rejoining Rattler is an added bonus.
In all, the additions give the Gamecocks a transfer class that 247Sports ranks seventh in college football and third in the Southeastern Conference.
“You want to play for the coach who makes playing a lot easier, (makes you) play a lot better,” Stogner told The State. “Having him as a guy that I’ve played for before and I know I want to play for — I mean, I’ll run through a brick wall for (Beamer).“
South Carolina still has roughly three scholarship spots to work with should it look to add more pieces. Virginia transfer linebacker West Weeks is on the wish list. Auburn receiver Kobe Hudson would add to what is already a vastly improved offense on paper, if South Carolina is interested.
The Gamecocks, though, aren’t just filling spots and piecing together a roster riddled with holes. Beamer and his recruiting staff can be selective.
Beamer has said for months he wanted to win now. Most scoffed at the thought.
After a 7-6 season, a bowl win and the recent work in the portal, Beamer can kick his feet up and toss back a few piña coladas. South Carolina is landing playmakers on both sides of the ball.
What a difference a year makes.
South Carolina transfer portal commitments
** denotes signed financial aid agreement with Gamecocks
- QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) **
- RB Christian Beal-Smith (Wake Forest)
- WR Antwane Wells (James Madison)
- TE Austin Stogner (Oklahoma) **
- DL Terrell Dawkins (N.C. State)
- S Devonni Reed (Central Michigan)
This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
