Live Update: South Carolina Lands Another SEC Transfer, Adding Depth at Linebacker
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecocks continue to bolster their roster with key transfer additions. On Friday morning, former Alabama linebacker Justin Okoronkwo officially signed with South Carolina, becoming the second transfer linebacker to commit to the Gamecocks this offseason. He joins Florida State transfer Shawn Murphy in a rapidly transforming linebacker room.
The Gamecocks wasted no time announcing Okoronkwo’s signing after his commitment was made public.
A native of Munich, Germany, the 6-foot-3, 228-pound Okoronkwo joined Alabama in December 2023 as a three-star prospect. Despite competing under the legendary Nick Saban and new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, Okoronkwo saw immediate action during his freshman season, recording 14 tackles for the Crimson Tide.
With South Carolina losing both starting linebackers, Debo Williams and Demetrius Knight, and facing uncertainty with Bam Martin-Scott’s appeal for another year of eligibility, Okoronkwo’s arrival comes at a pivotal time. If Martin-Scott’s appeal is denied, the Gamecocks will be without their top three linebackers heading into the 2025 season.
The addition of Okoronkwo and Murphy provides much-needed depth and competition for starting roles. Coaches have also expressed confidence in freshman Fred Johnson, who appears to be a strong contender for significant playing time.
The linebacker room may look wide open, but Okoronkwo and Murphy are poised to make an immediate impact as the Gamecocks prepare for a new chapter in their defensive lineup.
South Carolina’s Transfer Portal Additions for 2025:
- QB: Air Noland (Ohio State)
- RB: Rahsul Faison (Utah State)
- OL: Nick Sharpe (Wake Forest)
- OL: Rodney Newsom Jr. (Western Kentucky)
- OL: Boaz Stanley (Troy)
- TE: Jordan Dingle (Kentucky)
- Edge: Jaylen Brown (Missouri)
- DT: Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M)
- LB: Shawn Murphy (Florida State)
- LB: Justin Okoronkwo (Alabama)
- CB: Myles Norwood (Ball State)
Stay tuned for further updates as South Carolina’s offseason roster continues to take shape.
