South Carolina Football: Tracking Every 2025 Transfer and How They’re Performing This Season
This offseason saw South Carolina football experience one of its larger transfer portal turnovers in recent years. However, none of the departures were projected to be major contributors for the 2025 campaign. Still, several of those former Gamecocks have found new opportunities — some thriving, others still finding their footing, and a few no longer on a roster.
Here’s a breakdown of how each South Carolina transfer is performing in their new homes this season:
Quarterbacks
Dante Reno (Yale)
After transferring to play for his father’s team, Reno has taken over as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. The redshirt freshman has been impressive with 12 touchdowns and 4 interceptions through seven games, leading Yale to a 5-2 record.
Robby Ashford (Wake Forest)
Ashford transferred to Wake Forest seeking a starting role in his final season — and he got it. While his passing numbers have been modest, his running ability has kept defenses off balance, helping the Demon Deacons to an unexpected 5-3 start.
Defensive Standouts
Wendell Gregory (Oklahoma State)
After bouncing between linebacker and EDGE at South Carolina, Gregory has flourished as a starting outside linebacker for Oklahoma State. He’s logged three sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, despite the Cowboys struggling to a 1-8 record.
Jamaal Whyce (Marshall)
Transferring to his father’s alma mater has paid off — Whyce has shined with three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss for a 4-4 Thundering Herd squad.
Emory Floyd Jr. (Appalachian State)
Floyd has become a full-time starter in App State’s secondary under head coach Dowell Loggains. While his numbers don’t pop, he’s been steady in coverage for a 4-5 team.
Rondarius Porter (Appalachian State)
The walk-on turned starter followed Loggains to Boone and is now a key member of the Mountaineers’ defensive front rotation.
Ronnie Porter (Appalachian State)
Playing alongside his brother Rondarius, Ronnie has been part of the linebacker rotation but in a smaller role on a 4-5 team.
Tight Ends & Offensive Linemen
Connor Cox (North Carolina)
Cox has become a blocking anchor for Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels, lining up beside former teammate Jakai Moore. While not a major receiving threat, his blocking has been critical.
Jakai Moore (North Carolina)
In his seventh collegiate season, Moore has started at right tackle and been a steady veteran presence, though UNC has stumbled to 3-5 under Belichick’s leadership.
Reid Mikeska (Florida Atlantic)
Injuries derailed his South Carolina stint, but Mikeska hoped for a bigger role at FAU. So far, he’s logged just one catch for three yards, as the Owls sit at 3-5.
Aaryn Parks (Southern Miss)
Parks transferred to Southern Miss but left the team midway through the season. The Golden Eagles are 6-2 without him.
Ni Mansell (South Alabama)
The former walk-on hasn’t seen much playing time for the 2-7 Jaguars.
Skill Players
Bangally Kamara (Kansas)
After exhausting his eligibility at USC, Kamara landed one final season with the Jayhawks. He’s been a key starter on defense, contributing to a 5-4 campaign.
Nick Elksnis (UNLV)
Reuniting with Dan Mullen, Elksnis has contributed as a blocking tight end and caught two touchdowns for a 6-2 UNLV squad.
Elijah Caldwell (Georgia Military College)
Dropping down to JUCO, Caldwell has been electric — scoring eight touchdowns on just 15 touches for a 9-1 Bulldogs team.
CJ Adams (Wofford)
Now part of Wofford’s rotation, Adams has 13 receptions and two touchdowns for a 3-6 Terriers squad.
Payton Mangrum (East Carolina)
The former walk-on continues to shine on special teams while adding depth on offense. ECU sits at 5-3.
Djay Braswell (Georgia State)
Braswell hasn’t gained traction in Atlanta, totaling just 69 yards on a struggling 1-7 Panthers team.
Debron Gatling (Georgia Tech)
Gatling hasn’t been a major factor, but the Yellow Jackets are 8-1, one of the ACC’s biggest surprises.
Kam Pringle (Syracuse)
The offensive lineman has yet to break into the Orange rotation, who are 3-6 this year.
Tyshawn Russell (Syracuse)
Russell had just 10 touches before suffering an injury, as Fran Brown’s squad continues to struggle.
Miscellaneous & Unknown
Tanner Bailey (Auburn)
Bailey initially transferred to Auburn as a student and later announced he’d walk on for the Tigers, but that never came to fruition.
Jace Blackshear, Daniel Lester, Mo Kaba, and Jordan Franke also left the program, but no information on their next steps is available.
Who’s Next to Leave?
One current Gamecock has already entered the portal — tight end Michael Smith, who appeared in four games before redshirting. As a redshirt sophomore, he’s expected to draw major transfer interest heading into 2026.
Bottom Line:
While most of South Carolina’s offseason departures weren’t headline names, several former Gamecocks are making their mark elsewhere — proving there’s plenty of talent branching out from Columbia this season.
