South Carolina DB Myles Norwood Enters Transfer Portal, Becomes 10th Scholarship Departure
South Carolina’s secondary is taking another hit heading into 2026, as defensive back Myles Norwood is set to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2. Norwood, who joined the Gamecocks from Ball State just a year ago, becomes the team’s 10th scholarship player to hit the portal - and the first from the defensive backfield.
Norwood logged meaningful reps in his lone season in Columbia, appearing in 10 games and starting twice. He played 242 snaps in total, per Pro Football Focus, contributing across multiple phases of the defense. While his overall coverage grade came in at 45 - the lowest among Gamecocks who dropped into coverage - the numbers tell a more nuanced story.
He was targeted 21 times and gave up 15 receptions, a completion rate of 71.4%, for 171 yards. Notably, Norwood didn’t allow a touchdown and wasn’t credited with a pass breakup, suggesting he often found himself in tight coverage situations without making the final play on the ball.
Tackling was another area where Norwood struggled statistically, earning a grade of 55 - again, the lowest among South Carolina cornerbacks. But when it came to run defense, he showed some upside. His 72 grade in that department ranked ninth among all Gamecock defenders, pointing to a physical edge when stepping up against the run.
Still, with South Carolina already bracing for the departure of standout defensive backs Jalon Kilgore, DQ Smith, and Brandon Cisse to the NFL Draft, Norwood’s exit further thins an already depleted secondary. That leaves Vicari Swain, Peyton Williams, and Judge Collier as the most experienced returners in the defensive backfield heading into the offseason.
Norwood’s decision adds to a growing list of portal departures for the Gamecocks. Here’s a look at the scholarship players who’ve entered the portal so far:
- TE Michael Smith
- WR Brian Rowe Jr.
- OL Nick Sharpe
- OL Trovon Baugh
- OL Cason Henry
- OL Tree Babalade
- DL Zavion Hardy
- LB Jaron Willis
- LB Taeshawn Alston
- DB Myles Norwood
As South Carolina looks to retool its roster for 2026, the portal will be both a challenge and an opportunity. The loss of Norwood may not be the biggest headline, but it underscores just how much turnover this team is facing - and how critical this offseason will be for Shane Beamer’s staff to rebuild depth across the board, especially in the secondary.