South Carolina’s Jaheim Bell headed to transfer portal
One of South Carolina’s most dynamic playmakers is heading for the door.
Tight end Jaheim Bell announced on Monday night via Twitter that he was entering the transfer portal.
“I have always dreamed to be a collegiate athlete and to play at the highest level of college football,” Bell wrote. “The University of South Carolina gave me that opportunity. Thank you to Coach (Shane) Beamer, the trainers and the entire coaching staff for always believing in me.”
The news came the same day fellow starting tight end Austin Stogner announced he was entering the transfer portal.
Bell came to South Carolina as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020, but evolved into an athletic dynamo who lined up at multiple positions across the Gamecocks offense.
The Florida native notched 56 catches for 757 yards and seven touchdowns during his three years with the program. He also added another 301 yards rushing and three scores on 80 attempts.
Bell’s usage came under fire during the 2022 season when he played just nine snaps with no touches in South Carolina’s loss against Missouri. He later filled in as USC’s starting running back with MarShawn Lloyd and Christian Beal-Smith both sidelined with injuries.
“To me, Jaheim is one of the most talented players in football that I’ve ever been around in my life,” former South Carolina offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said earlier this year. “If it was up to me, I’d find a way to get him the ball a thousand times.”
Bell became more of a focal point for the Gamecocks offense down the stretch in 2022. He received at least 11 touches between receptions and rushes over the final four games.
The biggest game of Bell’s South Carolina career came in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, where he caught five passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns as USC beat North Carolina 38-21 to finish the season 7-6.
“It’s very frustrating going through the week knowing you’re going to get the ball and it doesn’t happen,” he said in the week following the Missouri game. “It’s kind of frustrating, but I kind of tried to let that go after after Sunday and Monday and try to come in and build on it and be positive and prepare like a pro.”
Bell should have a long list of suitors once he hits the portal given his ability to play multiple positions. He was originally committed to Florida before flipping to South Carolina coming out of high school.
Heading into the season, Pro Football Focus even projected Bell as a possible first round NFL Draft pick this cycle.
South Carolina is now slated to lose its top three tight ends from this past year with Bell and Stogner both leaving via the transfer portal and Nate Adkins out of eligibility.
USC remains in on three-star 2023 Miami commit Reid Mikeska, while Maryland transfer CJ Dippre told The State on Monday he’s slated to visit Columbia next week. Dippre doesn’t have any other visits lined up at this time.
Gamecocks in the transfer portal
TE Jaheim Bell — Dec. 5
TE Austin Stogner — Dec. 5
LB Darryle Ware — Dec. 5
DB Joey Hunter — Dec. 5
This story was originally published December 5, 2022 at 9:59 PM.
