Top Gamecocks tailback MarShawn Lloyd in transfer portal
South Carolina’s leading rusher is reportedly set to leave Columbia.
Multiple national outlets, including On3 and 247Sports, reported on Monday afternoon that running back MarShawn Lloyd has entered the transfer portal. A USC spokesman confirmed that Lloyd was in the portal.
A social media post on Sunday prompted speculation about Lloyd’s future.
“Game ain’t based on sympathy! Do what’s best for you,” Lloyd posted to Twitter.
Lloyd on Monday night posted his own departing message to social media, thanking the coaching staff and saying. “I am forever grateful for the love and support from the University of South Carolina Gamecocks and our true fans.”
The Delaware native ran for 573 yards on 111 carries this fall, his first as the lead back at South Carolina.
The former four-star recruit missed his first season at USC due to a torn ACL he suffered during training camp in 2020. He returned in 2021, but served as the backup for starters Kevin Harris and ZaQuandre White.
Lloyd was dynamic this year, averaging 5.16 yards per carry, but he missed games against Vanderbilt, Florida and Tennessee due to a thigh contusion. He received 11 carries for 17 yards in the season-ending win over No. 8 Clemson.
The Gamecocks are now slotted to lose two of their most dynamic playmakers from the 2022 season in Lloyd and tight end Jaheim Bell, who entered the transfer portal last week.
With Lloyd and Bell likely gone, it’s unclear who will handle the load at running back in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30 against No. 21 Notre Dame. Sophomore Juju McDowell (56 carries for 191 yards and two touchdowns) and graduate transfer Christian Beal-Smith (36 rushes for 148 yards and five touchdowns) were the next most involved tailbacks this season.
Gamecocks in the transfer portal
Each player’s landing spot is listed in parentheses
RB MarShawn Lloyd — Dec. 12
DB Tyrese Ross — Dec. 6
TE Jaheim Bell — Dec. 5
TE Austin Stogner — Dec. 5 (Oklahoma)
LB Darryle Ware — Dec. 5
DB Joey Hunter — Dec. 5
This story was originally published December 12, 2022 at 1:43 PM.
