South Carolina Offensive Lineman Cason Henry Set to Enter Transfer Portal After Four Seasons with Gamecocks
South Carolina is set to lose another key piece from its offensive front, as veteran right tackle Cason Henry plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. After four seasons in Columbia, Henry is looking for a fresh start-and he brings with him a resume that includes SEC experience, grit through injury setbacks, and a proven ability to anchor the edge when healthy.
Henry's time with the Gamecocks has been a mix of promise and perseverance. He appeared in 21 games over four years, starting 18 of them.
His most productive stretch came in 2023, when he started all 13 games at right tackle and was a consistent presence on a line that battled through its own ups and downs. That year marked a turning point for Henry, who had previously struggled to stay on the field due to injuries in his first two seasons.
Unfortunately, the 2024 campaign brought another setback. Henry managed to play in four games before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely. It was a tough blow for a player who had just come off a full, healthy season and was poised to build on that momentum.
Still, when Henry is on the field, he makes his presence felt. In 2024, he earned the starting job out of camp and logged solid performances before the injury. His development didn’t go unnoticed-he was named South Carolina’s Most Improved Offensive Player during spring practice and landed on the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, showing he’s not just a physical asset but a student of the game as well.
Henry now becomes the seventh South Carolina player to announce his intention to transfer, joining a group that includes tight end Michael Smith, offensive linemen Nick Sharpe and Trovon Baugh, defensive lineman Zavion Hardy, linebacker Jaron Willis, and wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr. It’s part of a broader wave of roster turnover that’s become the norm in today’s transfer-heavy college football landscape.
Looking back, Henry’s journey with the Gamecocks has been one of steady growth. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he battled through a knee injury that limited him to just two appearances.
He earned the starting nod in the season opener against North Carolina but was injured in that game, returned briefly against Jacksonville State, and then was sidelined again. Despite the setbacks, he remained engaged and focused, earning academic honors and continuing to rehab during the offseason.
His first year on campus in 2022 followed a more typical freshman trajectory. He saw limited action behind veterans Dylan Wonnum and Tyshawn Wannamaker, logging snaps against Charlotte and South Carolina State. Even then, coaches took note of his work ethic-he earned the Offensive Scout Team Award and was named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
Henry came to South Carolina from Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he was a standout on both sides of the ball. He primarily played right tackle and helped lead his team to a 9-4 record as a senior. A first-team All-Cobb County selection, Henry was known for his versatility and physicality in the trenches.
Now, with multiple seasons of SEC experience under his belt and a clean bill of health hopefully on the horizon, Henry enters the portal as a seasoned lineman who can contribute right away. He’s got the size, the technique, and the mental toughness that coaches look for in a veteran tackle.
Wherever he lands next, Cason Henry will bring more than just a big frame and a strong punch-he’ll bring the kind of resilience that comes from battling through adversity and coming out stronger on the other side.