Trajan Jeffcoat’s hangup with South Carolina not academic-related, source says

Missouri standout defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat wanted to finish his career close to his Irmo home. With Jordan Burch transferring to Oregon, South Carolina had an immediate opening and a need for a defensive end/pass rusher. The two sides moved quickly to make it happen, and all indications were that Jeffcoat would be in school this week.

Then, something in the transfer process broke down. As of Monday night it appears Jeffcoat to USC is not happening.

JC Shurburtt of TheBigSpur and Chris Clark of GamecockCentral reported Monday night the issue preventing his enrollment was not academic-related. A source with knowledge of the process confirmed the same, adding that as late as Sunday night Jeffcoat was expecting to join the program without a hitch.

According to the source, coming home to play a final season in the SEC was big for Jeffcoat. Also per the source, the name, image and likeness deal from USC was lower in value than the one at Missouri. The source, like other media reports, did not know the reason why the transfer to USC was blocked.

In 2019 at Missouri, after playing six games as a freshman in 2018, Jeffcoat missed the first five games with an elbow injury, then left the team for an undisclosed reason. He was given a redshirt year, returned for the 2020 season and made the All-SEC team. He also played full seasons with the Tigers in 2021 and 2022.

Tuesday is the last day for a USC student to be in class for grades to count in the spring semester.

South Carolina’s roster lost defensive ends Jordan Burch, Gilber Edmond and Hot Rod Fitten to the transfer portal.

Not being able to add Jeffcoat to the roster would be a major blow for Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White. Thinking they had Jeffcoat in the fold, it’s possible they passed on pursuing other defensive ends of his quality. And now, finding one in the portal with an All-SEC type of background won’t be easy.

According to the On3 transfer portal rankings, some of the edge rushers still available are Rick D’Abreu (6-2, 257) of East Carolina, Eyobi Okie (6-5 245) of Michigan — who has already transferred four times — and Quin Williams (6-2 240) of Georgia Southern.

This story was originally published January 17, 2023 at 8:49 AM.