SC native, starting SEC defensive back transferring to Gamecocks
.JPG "From left, Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Alex Afari Jr. (3), Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Quay'Sheed Scott (12) and Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Cam Dooley (18) celebrate a second half stop during a UK’s 10-3 win over Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.")
Quay’Sheed Scott is finally a Gamecock.
Just over two years after picking Kentucky over South Carolina, the Marion High alum announced that he’s transferring to USC, according to a report from 247 Sports.
Scott, a 6-foot, 196-pound junior, signed with Kentucky as a three-star prospect in the Class of 2024. He played in 11 games as a true freshman, but that only amounted to 51 total snaps.
As a sophomore, though, he transformed into an elite starting defensive back for the Wildcats. Starting in seven games as a cornerback and four games as a safety, Scott tallied nearly 500 snaps last season, racking up 39 tackles and one interception.
Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 76.2 for his coverage. How good is that? The only South Carolina player to exceed that in 2025 was safety Peyton Williams (76.4). The closest cornerback was Vicari Swain (74.0).
Per PFF, Scott was targeted 24 times last season, allowing 115 catches for 184 yards (104 yards after the catch) and one touchdown.
Beyond being a native of the Palmetto State, Scott also has ties to the Gamecock football program. He is cousins with T.J. Sanders, the former star defensive tackle for South Carolina who’s now playing for the Buffalo Bills.
Scott’s addition is massive for South Carolina considering the Gamecocks lost three starters in the secondary: safety DQ Smith (graduated) as well as nickel Jalon Kilgore and cornerback Brandon Cisse — who both declared for the NFL Draft.
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 8, 2026 at 6:43 PM.
