The college football transfer portal may have closed for entry, but the ripple effects are still being felt across the country. And in Columbia, South Carolina, Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks just landed a big one-literally and figuratively. Former Oklahoma wide receiver Jayden Gibson, a 6-foot-5 playmaker with serious upside, is officially headed to the SEC East.
This is a significant pickup for South Carolina, both in terms of talent and potential impact. Gibson brings a rare blend of size and athleticism to the outside, the kind of physical mismatch that defensive backs lose sleep over.
He showed flashes of that potential during his time at Oklahoma-most notably in 2023, when he hauled in 14 catches for 375 yards and five touchdowns. That’s an average of nearly 27 yards per catch.
When he’s healthy and in rhythm, he’s a walking big play.
But the road to Columbia hasn’t been smooth. Gibson missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury in the preseason.
Then, just as he was working his way back, additional health setbacks sidelined him again at the start of 2025. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables confirmed during the season that Gibson would be entering the portal once it opened, and now we know where he’s headed.
There’s been some noise around why Gibson left Norman, but he took to social media to set the record straight. In a post on X, he made it clear: “The ONLY reason OU and I parted ways was because of my injuries. Anything else being spread is false information from people who don’t know any details, just what they see on their phones.”
Now, South Carolina welcomes him with open arms-and a clear role in mind. For quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who’s coming off a challenging 4-8 season, having a target like Gibson on the outside adds a new dimension to the offense. Sellers has the arm talent to push the ball downfield, and Gibson has the frame and catch radius to go up and get it.
This isn’t just a depth move. If Gibson can stay healthy and regain his 2023 form, he could become a go-to weapon in the Gamecocks’ passing game. And for a South Carolina team looking to rebound, that’s exactly the kind of spark they need.
The countdown to spring camp is on, and with Gibson now in the mix, the Gamecocks’ offense just got a whole lot more interesting.