Gamecocks adding transfer portal kicker from playoff team
For the first time since Shane Beamer took over in 2021, South Carolina has added a kicker from the transfer portal.
On Thursday, per a report by On3 reporter Pete Nakos, Texas Tech transfer kicker Upton Bellenfant signed with the Gamecocks.
The Tennessee product was the Red Raiders’ backup kicker during their College Football Playoff season in 2025, going 6 for 6 on field-goal attempts with a long of 33 yards.
Bellenfant’s college career began at Alabama in 2022. He spent two seasons on the Crimson Tide’s roster but didn’t see any game action.
He transferred to Buffalo in 2024 and played under former South Carolina special teams coordinator Pete Lembo. In his one season with the Bulls, Bellenfant went 18 of 21 on his field-goal tries, including a season-long 52-yarder in the Bahamas Bowl.
He will enroll at South Carolina with one year of eligibility remaining.
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 2:13 PM.
