South Carolina picks up veteran transfer offensive lineman from Big 12 school
South Carolina has landed its first transfer offensive linemen of 2026.
On Tuesday afternoon, On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos reported that the Gamecocks have earned a commitment from Central Florida’s OL Carter Miller.
The biggest need for the Gamecocks in the transfer portal was offensive linemen. Not only did South Carolina allow an SEC-worst 43 sacks in 2025, but it lost seven scholarship offensive linemen to the portal — all of whom started at least one game last season.
At UCF last season, the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Miller started nine games at center.
Per Pro Football Focus, he had a pass-blocking grade of 65.5 and a run-blocking grade of 60.2. For reference: For reference: Only three Gamecocks’ offensive linemen with at least 100 snaps — Nick Sharpe, Shedrick Sarratt and Tree Babalade — had a better pass-blocking grade in 2025 and just one — Sharpe — had a higher run-blocking grade.
Miller started his college career at James Madison in 2022, playing two seasons under head coach Curt Cignetti. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he started eight games.
When Cignetti left for Indiana after that season, Miller transferred to Louisiana-Monroe and started every game for the Warhawks at center. Then, he transferred to UCF and started nine games for the Golden Knights.
Miller will enroll at South Carolina with one season of eligibility remaining. With the Gamecocks, he will likely compete with Nolan Hay for the starting center position. Hay started two games at center for the Gamecocks in 2025, but he missed most of the season with an injury.
2026 South Carolina Transfer Portal Additions
- WR Jayden Gibson (Oklahoma) — committed on Jan. 4
- DL Jordan Thomas (Georgia) — committed on Jan. 6
- OL Carter Miller (UCF) — committed on Jan. 6
- OL Hank Purvis (Purdue) — committed on Jan. 6
- K Upton Bellenfant (Texas Tech) — committed on Jan. 8
- DB Quay’Sheed Scott (Kentucky) — committed on Jan. 8
- OL Jacarrius Peak (NC State) — committed on Jan. 8
- OL Emmanuel Poku (East Carolina) — committed on Jan. 9
- RB Sam Williams-Dixon (Ohio State) — committed on Jan. 9
- WR Nitro Tuggle (Purdue) — committed on Jan. 9
- OL Dayne Arnett (Ferris State) — committed on Jan. 9
- DL Tomiwa Durojaiye (Illinois) — committed on Jan. 10
- LS Emmet Rhoades (Western Carolina) — signed on Jan. 10
- OL Seth Smith (Northern Arizona) — committed on Jan. 11
- DL Kelby Collins (Alabama) — committed on Jan. 11
- DE Drew Collins (Arkansas State) — committed on Jan. 11
This story was originally published January 6, 2026 at 4:38 PM.
