Gamecock transfer defender staying in SEC, commits to Alabama
Former South Carolina football edge rusher Desmond Umeozulu is staying in the SEC.
Umeozulu committed to play for Alabama on Sunday, three days after entering the transfer portal. On3 Sports first reported Umeozulu’s transfer decision. Umeozulu will have one season of eligibility with the Crimson Tide.
He’s the fourth former South Carolina player who’ll transfer but stay in the Southeastern Conference.
He played in 37 games over his career with the Gamecocks and made his first start this past season against Coastal Carolina. Umeozulu had 19 tackles (2 for loss) in 2025 and a sack against South Carolina State.
For his career, Umeozulu had 30 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks.
Umeozulu was a highly regarded prospect coming out of C.H. Flowers High School in Maryland and was an Under-Armour All-American.
Gamecock transfers
Accounting for scholarship departures; listed with new schools
- QB Air Noland (Memphis)
- TE Michael Smith (Ole Miss)
- WR Brian Rowe Jr. (UCLA)
- WR Vandrevius Jacobs (Miami)
- OL Boaz Stanley (Purdue)
- OL Rodney Newsom Jr.
- OL Nick Sharpe (Michigan State)
- OL Trovon Baugh (Texas A&M)
- OL Cason Henry (Louisville)
- OL Tree Babalade (Nebraska)
- OL Jatavius Shivers (Purdue)
- OL Ryan Brubaker (Virginia)
- DE Desmond Umeozulu (Alabama)
- DL Zavion Hardy (Baylor)
- DL Jaylen Brown (LSU)
- LB Jaron Willis (Kansas)
- LB Taeshawn Alston
- DB Myles Norwood
This story was originally published January 18, 2026 at 1:43 PM.