How O’Mega Blake, other former Gamecocks are performing at their new schools
South Carolina football has had plenty of transfers over the years.
With coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5 SEC) about three-quarters through their season, here’s a look at how dozens of former USC players are doing at their new schools. Players are listed by transfer cycle.
South Carolina football 2024 transfers
USC had 22 players transfer during or after the 2024 season.
LB Ronnie Porter (App State): 12 tackles and a fumble recovery in eight games.
DT Rondo Porter (App State): Porter has started every game at DT for former South Carolina OC Dowell Loggains and has 23 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss (TFLs).
OL Jakai Moore (UNC): Seventh-year player has started every game at right tackle.
QB Dante Reno (Yale): Reno is starting at quarterback for his dad, Yale coach Tony Reno, and has thrown for 10 touchdowns against four interceptions in six games.
OL Kam Pringle (Syracuse): Backup right tackle has played 70 total snaps.
DB Emory Floyd (App State): Every-game starter; fourth on team with 32 tackles.
OLB Wendell Gregory (Oklahoma State): Tied a Big 12 freshman record with three sacks in the season opener and has racked up 22 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in eight games. He was named to The Athletic’s Midseason All-Freshman Team.
OL Aaryn Parks (Southern Miss): Has appeared in one game.
WR Payton Mangrum (East Carolina): Six catches for 93 yards.
DE Elijah Davis (Troy): Starting defensive end has 3 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.
QB Robby Ashford (Wake Forest): Ashford has started six games and been solid as a passer and runner for the Demon Deacons, who are off to a surprising 5-2 start. Wake recently turned to backup QB Deshawn Purdie, though.
DL Jamaal Whyce Jr. (Marshall): 22 tackles, 4 TFLs and 2.5 sacks.
TE Nick Elksnis (UNLV): Three catches for 38 yards while playing for 6-1 UNLV.
WR Debron Gatling (Georgia Tech): Has appeared in two games; no statistics.
WR Elijah Caldwell (Georgia Military College): Playing at the JUCO level, Caldwell has 13 catches for 206 yards and six touchdowns.
TE Connor Cox (UNC): Four catches for 19 yards (all in the last three games).
WR C.J. Adams (Wofford): Nine catches for 127 yards and two TDs.
RB DJay Braswell (Georgia State): 16 carries for 52 yards in a backup role.
WR Tyshawn Russell (Syracuse): Nine catches for 83 yards; was injured mid-season after carving out a solid early role on offense.
TE Reid Mikeska (FAU): Playing primarily on special teams. Has one catch.
OL Ni Mansell (South Alabama): Has appeared in one game.
LB Bangally Kamara (Kansas): Starting linebacker leads the team in tackles for loss (8.0) and is fourth in the Big 12 in that statistic. Kamara also has 32 total tackles.
South Carolina football 2023 transfers
Eleven former 11 Gamecocks who left after the 2023 season are still around.
DB Keenan Nelson Jr. (Ohio State): Has played in three games as a special teamer for the No. 1 Buckeyes (7-0), the reigning national champions.
OL Sidney Fugar (Baylor): Starting left tackle for Baylor in his second season there.
LB Grayson “Pup” Howard (Florida): Four total tackles in three games.
OL Grayson Mains (Temple): Starting center for the Owls (5-3).
WR Zavier Short (Marshall): Plays on special teams; no catches.
WR O’Mega Blake (Arkansas): After a strong 2024 season at Charlotte, Blake is turning heads in the SEC. He leads Arkansas in catches (48), yards (643) and receiving touchdowns (four) and has two 100-yard games.
DL Xzavier McLeod (Georgia): Reserve defender has seven tackles and two pass break-ups (PBUs) for reigning SEC champion and No. 5 Georgia (6-1).
DL Felix Hixon (MTSU): Two tackles in seven games.
CB Kajuan Banks (USF): Eight tackles in first four games; no longer on roster.
DE Donovan Westmoreland (Kennesaw State): 23 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and 2.0 sacks.
OL JonDarius Morgan (UAB): Starting right guard for the Blazers.
South Carolina football 2022 transfers
Eight transfers from USC after the 2022 season are still playing in college.
DB Cam Upshaw Jr. (UTSA): Never played at USC after being suspended for an off-field incident. Upshaw was at Memphis in 2024 and has five tackles this season.
QB Braden Davis (Hampton): Starting quarterback at FCS Hampton after playing at Syracuse in 2024 (and briefly converting to wide receiver). Davis threw for 242 yards in his last start but has a 4:7 touchdown-interception ratio.
S Anthony Rose (none): Rose, like Upshaw, was suspended from USC in 2023 for an off-field incident along with DE Monteque Rhames II (who’s out of football). Rose signed with New Mexico State last winter but is no longer on the roster.
RB Rashad Amos (Georgia State): In the rotation and has 268 rushing yards in eight games. Amos previously suited up at Miami Ohio (2023) and Ole Miss (2024).
WR DJ Black (UCF): Former South Carolina preferred walk-on (PWO) was at Limestone until the school shut down. He’s now playing a key role for the Knights (17 catches for 240 yards) and had the game-winning TD in their opener.
WR Corey Rucker (Arkansas State): Sixth-year has 40 catches for 469 yards.
OL Jordan Davis (South Alabama): Starting at left tackle for the Jaguars.
DB Joey Hunter (Memphis): Sixth-year who also spent time at Akron.
South Carolina football 2021 transfers
Six players who transferred during Beamer’s first year are still playing.
WR Sam Reynolds (Towson): 12 catches for 98 yards at the FCS level.
WR Rico Powers (ULM): Five catches for 53 yards; no longer on the roster.
LB Kolbe Fields (LA Tech): Preseason CUSA Defensive Player of the Year has racked up 39 tackles, 2.0 sacks and two interceptions. Previously played at LSU.
DB Dominick Hill (Southern Miss): Sixth-year player who’s on his fourth school (South Carolina, Temple, Liberty, Southern Miss).
WR Ger-Cari Caldwell (Memphis): Sixth-year player has two catches for 12 yards this season. Caldwell transferred to Memphis after playing three years at NC A&T.
CB Karon Prunty (Wake Forest): Has 17 tackles, five pass breakups and a pick in seven games. Prunty is in his sixth season of football at his fourth school (Kansas, South Carolina, NC A&T, Wake Forest).
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 7:45 AM.
