South Carolina Bolsters Defensive Line, But Loses Veteran Edge Rusher to Portal
The South Carolina Gamecocks made a notable addition to their defensive front Thursday, securing a commitment from Tennessee defensive end Caleb Herring. But the celebration was tempered by the loss of a veteran presence on the edge, as senior Desmond Umeozulu officially entered the transfer portal.
Umeozulu, a familiar name around Columbia, has been a steady contributor over his career. He appeared in 37 games for the Gamecocks, earning his first career start this season against Coastal Carolina. While his stat line this year-19 total tackles, including two for loss and one sack against South Carolina State-won’t jump off the page, his experience and physical presence on the edge were valuable assets for a defense navigating youth and injuries.
Across his career, Umeozulu totaled 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He came to South Carolina with high expectations as a four-star prospect out of C.H.
Flowers High School in Maryland, where he earned Under Armour All-American honors. His departure marks the end of a chapter that began with promise and steady development, even if it never fully blossomed into stardom.
The Gamecocks’ defensive line room now shifts again, this time with Herring stepping in. The former Tennessee edge rusher brings fresh talent to a group that’s seen its share of turnover. And turnover has certainly been the theme this offseason.
Transfer Portal Exodus: Who’s Out?
Umeozulu is just the latest in a wave of scholarship players to hit the portal for South Carolina. The list is long and touches nearly every position group, signaling a significant roster reshaping for Shane Beamer and his staff.
On offense, the Gamecocks have seen quarterbacks, tight ends, wide receivers, and a large portion of their offensive line exit. Quarterback Air Noland is heading to Memphis, while tight end Michael Smith is off to Syracuse.
At wide receiver, Brian Rowe Jr. (UCLA) and Vandrevius Jacobs (Miami) are moving on.
The offensive line has been hit especially hard. Josiah Thompson, Boaz Stanley (Purdue), Rodney Newsom Jr., Nick Sharpe (Michigan State), Trovon Baugh (Texas A&M), Cason Henry (Louisville), Tree Babalade (Nebraska), and Jatavius Shivers have all entered the portal. That’s a significant chunk of the depth chart, and rebuilding that unit will be a top priority heading into spring ball.
On defense, alongside Umeozulu, the Gamecocks have lost linemen Zavion Hardy (Baylor) and Jaylen Brown (LSU), linebackers Jaron Willis (Kansas) and Taeshawn Alston, and defensive back Myles Norwood.
What’s Next for South Carolina
The addition of Caleb Herring is a step in the right direction as the Gamecocks look to reload rather than rebuild. But with a transfer portal list this long, the challenge now becomes not just replacing bodies, but finding the right fits-players who can step in and contribute immediately, especially in the trenches.
For Umeozulu, the portal offers a fresh start and potentially a chance to take on a larger role elsewhere. For South Carolina, it’s another piece of a growing puzzle as the program works to reshape its identity heading into the next chapter of SEC football.
There’s still plenty of time before the roster locks in, but one thing’s clear: the Gamecocks are going to look very different in 2026.