South Carolina Bolsters Offensive Line with Transfer of Ebubedike Nnabugwu, Marks 25th Portal Addition
South Carolina just added another key piece to its rebuilding puzzle-and it’s a big one, literally and figuratively. Missouri State offensive lineman Ebubedike Nnabugwu has committed to the Gamecocks, becoming the 25th transfer to join the program this offseason and the eighth offensive lineman in that group.
At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Nnabugwu brings both size and versatility to a South Carolina offensive line that desperately needed reinforcements. The Gamecocks surrendered an SEC-high 43 sacks in 2025, a stat that told the story of a unit that struggled to protect the quarterback and establish consistency up front. Nnabugwu’s arrival is part of a clear strategy: rebuild the trenches from the inside out.
The Baltimore native began the 2025 season at left guard for Missouri State before shifting to left tackle, where he started the final nine games. That kind of positional flexibility is rare, and it’s one of the reasons he drew interest from several Power Five programs-including Alabama, where he visited just days before committing to South Carolina.
But it’s not just about where he played-it’s how he played. According to Pro Football Focus, Nnabugwu posted a 78.7 pass-blocking grade last season, giving up just three sacks and four quarterback hits across 12 games. That’s a level of consistency and protection the Gamecocks have been sorely lacking.
Missouri State, in its first season at the FBS level, went 7-6 overall and 5-3 in Conference USA play, earning a bowl appearance. Nnabugwu played a big role in that success, anchoring a line that held up well despite the jump in competition. He initially started his college career at Delaware State in 2023, redshirted his first season, and then played in all 12 games as a redshirt sophomore before transferring to Missouri State.
Now, with two years of eligibility remaining, Nnabugwu heads to Columbia with a chance to make an immediate impact. He joins a deep and diverse group of transfer linemen as South Carolina aggressively reshapes its offensive front. The Gamecocks have brought in linemen from across the country and across divisions-Ferris State, UCF, NC State, East Carolina, Purdue, Northern Arizona, and New Mexico State-all with the goal of creating depth, competition, and, most importantly, protection.
Head coach Shane Beamer and his staff have clearly prioritized the offensive line in this transfer cycle, and for good reason. With a new-look backfield and receiving corps also taking shape, the success of South Carolina’s offense in 2026 could hinge on how quickly this revamped line gels.
Here’s a look at South Carolina’s full 2026 transfer class so far:
Quarterback
- Lucian Anderson III (Bowling Green State)
Running Backs
- Sam Williams-Dixon (Ohio State)
- Jabree Coleman (Penn State)
- Christian Clark (Texas)
Wide Receivers
- Jayden Gibson (Oklahoma)
- Nitro Tuggle (Purdue)
- Charly Mullaly (Holy Cross)
- DJ Black (UCF)
Tight End
- Max Drag (UCF)
Offensive Linemen
- Dayne Arnett (Ferris State)
- Carter Miller (UCF)
- Jacarrius Peak (NC State)
- Emmanuel Poku (East Carolina)
- Hank Purvis (Purdue)
- Seth Smith (Northern Arizona)
- Armando Nieves (New Mexico State)
- Ebubedike Nnabugwu (Missouri State)
Special Teams
- K Upton Bellenfant (Texas Tech)
- LS Emmet Rhoades (Western Carolina)
Defensive Line
- Jordan Thomas (Georgia)
- Tomiwa Durojaiye (Illinois)
- Kelby Collins (Alabama)
Defensive Ends
- Drew Collins (Arkansas State)
- Caleb Herring (Tennessee)
With Nnabugwu now in the fold, South Carolina continues to reshape its roster with purpose-and after last season’s struggles in the trenches, this latest addition could be one of the most important yet.