South Carolina losing EJ Jenkins to transfer portal
South Carolina is down an offensive playmaker just two days after it wrapped up spring practices.
Receiver/tight end E.J. Jenkins announced on Monday that he plans to enter the transfer portal after just one season at USC. Jenkins caught eight passes for 117 yards in 12 games last year.
“I am truly blessed to meet people that I can call family in my time at South Carolina,” Jenkins wrote in his announcement via Twitter. “Thank you, Coach (Shane) Beamer, Coach (Justin) Stepp and the rest of the staff for allowing me (to be) part of the 2021 season.”
The Virginia native came to Columbia after a standout career at St. Francis (Pa.) with quarterback Jason Brown last spring. Brown also previously announced his intention to transfer from South Carolina and has since landed at Virginia Tech.
Jenkins — who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs in at 240 pounds — was expected to be a dynamic red zone threat in 2021, but never quite evolved into a consistent enough presence in the South Carolina passing game.
His most prolific game came against Troy on Oct. 2 when he recorded two catches for 28 yards and a touchdown. Jenkins also notched one reception for 30 yards in the regular-season finale against Clemson.
Jenkins was injured for at least part of the spring and did not participate in Saturday’s Garnet and Black game due to injury.
South Carolina has added to its receiver room throughout the offseason. James Madison import Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. is already on campus and has received rave reviews for his work since arriving.
USC also added Arkansas State transfer Corey Rucker earlier this month. Rucker is expected to be on campus this summer.
Gamecocks heading to the transfer portal
April 18: E.J. Jenkins, WR/TE
Jan. 24: Kolbe Fields, LB — LSU
Dec. 15: Keveon Mullins, TE — Jackson State
Dec. 15: Jason Brown, QB — Virginia Tech
Dec. 12: Vincent Murphy, OL — Western Kentucky
Dec. 12: Connor Jordan, QB
Dec. 8: Dominick Hill, DB — Temple
Dec. 6: Jahmar Brown, LB/S — Coastal Carolina
Nov. 30: Ger-Cari Caldwell, WR
This story was originally published April 18, 2022 at 12:04 PM.
