South Carolina Loses Starting Right Tackle Cason Henry to Transfer Portal
The hits keep coming for South Carolina’s offensive line.
On Friday evening, it was reported that starting right tackle Cason Henry plans to enter the transfer portal when it reopens on January 2. That marks yet another key departure for a Gamecocks front five that’s already seen more than its fair share of turnover.
Henry, a former three-star recruit out of Marietta, Georgia, was a steady presence on the right side of the line. He started all 13 games in 2024 and opened the first four contests of the 2025 season before a shoulder injury against Missouri brought his campaign to a premature end.
And it’s not just that Henry was a starter - he was the guy up front. Among South Carolina offensive linemen with at least 100 snaps, he graded out as the team’s top run and pass blocker, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s no small feat in the trenches of the SEC, where every snap is a battle and every inch of ground is earned.
Losing a lineman of Henry’s caliber - especially one with multiple years of eligibility and proven SEC experience - is a significant blow for a South Carolina program that’s trying to build consistency up front. His departure adds to a growing list of scholarship players heading for the portal, including tight end Michael Smith, defensive lineman Zavion Hardy, linebacker Jaron Willis, wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr., and fellow offensive linemen Nick Sharpe and Trovon Baugh.
Baugh’s name stands out, too. He started 11 games at right guard this season, meaning South Carolina is now down both of its starting guards from the majority of 2025. That kind of turnover on the interior line can make life tough for any offense, especially one trying to establish rhythm and identity heading into the offseason.
With Henry’s exit, the Gamecocks are now staring down a major reshuffle in the trenches. The portal may offer some solutions, but replacing a reliable, high-performing tackle like Henry won’t be easy. For a team that’s aiming to take a step forward, rebuilding the offensive line just became one of the most urgent priorities of the offseason.