South Carolina’s offensive line continues to take hits as another key piece is heading for the transfer portal. Redshirt junior Tree Babalade-who saw meaningful action in 2025-has officially announced plans to enter the portal, becoming the third starting offensive lineman from this past season to move on from the Gamecocks.
Babalade, a 6-foot-5 tackle with size and upside, began the 2025 campaign as a backup but worked his way into the rotation, logging appearances in seven games and earning five starts at right tackle during the heart of the season. His departure adds to a growing list of offensive linemen exiting Columbia, joining right guard Trovon Baugh and fellow right tackle Cason Henry as notable losses from the starting unit.
It’s been a turbulent year for South Carolina’s offensive line room, and not just because of player movement. Head coach Shane Beamer made a significant mid-season change, parting ways with offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley.
In his place, the Gamecocks brought in Randy Clements from TCU earlier this month. Clements has long been linked with offensive coordinator Kendal Briles-who also made the move from Fort Worth to Columbia this offseason-so the hire signals a clear shift in offensive philosophy and coaching continuity moving forward.
As for Babalade, his journey with the Gamecocks has been anything but linear. A former four-star recruit out of Maryland and ranked among the top 250 prospects in his class, Babalade originally decommitted from South Carolina just weeks before signing day in 2022.
But in a dramatic twist, he recommitted the day before officially putting pen to paper. Since then, he’s played in 22 games over four seasons, earning 15 starts and carving out a role as a physical presence on the edge.
With Babalade’s decision, South Carolina now has eight scholarship players who’ve announced their intention to enter the transfer portal ahead of the official January 2 opening. The list includes names from both sides of the ball and a heavy concentration on the offensive line-a unit that has seen more turnover than most this offseason.
South Carolina’s 2025 Transfer Portal Departures (Scholarship Players):
- TE Michael Smith
- WR Brian Rowe Jr.
- DL Zavion Hardy
- LB Jaron Willis
- OL Nick Sharpe
- OL Trovon Baugh
- OL Cason Henry
- OL Tree Babalade
For a program looking to bounce back and retool under Beamer, the portal will be just as important for additions as it is for exits. And with a new offensive coordinator and line coach in place, expect South Carolina to be active in reshaping the trenches heading into 2026.