South Carolina football losing young defensive lineman to transfer portal
The South Carolina football team has lost another player during the NCAA’s second transfer portal window.
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Demetrius Watson announced on Wednesday that he is leaving the Gamecocks football program.
“I would like to thank Coach (Shane) Beamer and Coach (Jimmy) Lindsey for giving me this great opportunity to be a part of the Gamecocks and help develop me as a player and a man off the field,” Watson wrote in a graphic posted on Twitter.
The second transfer portal window opened on April 15 and will close on Sunday. A player has to officially enter the transfer portal by this weekend in order to be eligible to play next year for their new school should they depart (A player does not technically have to leave their current school if they enter the portal).
Watson, a former Fort Dorchester High School standout, didn’t appear in any games this past fall for Gamecocks and worked with the scout team.
The Charleston product earned all-state honors as a senior and was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl. He was rated a three-star recruit and the 14th-ranked player in South Carolina for the Class of 2022 in the 247Sports Composite.
Defensive back Anthony Rose was the first Gamecocks player to announce his intention to transfer during the portal’s second window on April 15. Rose had been away from the team following his arrest last month on weapons charges.
Gamecocks in the transfer portal
Each player’s landing spot is listed in parentheses
DL Demetrius Watson — April 26
OL Collin Heinrich — April 21
DB Anthony Rose — April 15
DE Jordan Burch — Jan. 5 (Oregon)
RB Rashad Amos — Jan. 1 (Miami of Ohio)
DE Hot Rod Fitten — Dec. 31
LS Matthew Bailey — Dec. 31 (Toledo)
DE Gilber Edmond — Dec. 15 (Florida State)
WR Corey Rucker — Dec. 14 (Arkansas State)
RB MarShawn Lloyd — Dec. 12 (Southern Cal)
DB Tyrese Ross — Dec. 6
TE Jaheim Bell — Dec. 5 (Florida State)
TE Austin Stogner — Dec. 5 (Oklahoma)
LB Darryle Ware — Dec. 5 (Texas A&M-Commerce)
DB Joey Hunter — Dec. 5 (Akron)
OL Jordan Davis — Nov. 30 (South Alabama)
DB R.J. Roderick — Oct. 17 (Liberty)
This story was originally published April 26, 2023 at 11:19 AM.
