South Carolina tight end Michael Smith is officially out of the football program after deciding to redshirt and enter the transfer portal. The Gamecocks have made it clear — Smith will not remain on the roster or return in 2026. Instead, the team has opted to cut ties completely with the former blue-chip prospect.
Who Is Michael Smith?
Smith joined South Carolina as one of the headliners of the 2024 recruiting class, arriving as a four-star prospect, a Top 100 national recruit, and the fifth-ranked tight end in the country.
He chose the Gamecocks over powerhouse programs like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas, with expectations that he’d make an immediate impact in Columbia.
As a freshman, Smith flashed his potential, hauling in 10 receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown while starting seven games. But in 2025, his role shrank significantly.
Despite competing for the starting job after Josh Simon’s departure to the NFL, Smith slid behind Brady Hunt and Jordan Dingle on the depth chart. He appeared in just four games this season, recording two catches for 20 yards — enough to preserve his eligibility with a redshirt year.
However, that decision effectively ended his South Carolina career.
Beamer Has Taken This Route Before
This isn’t the first time Shane Beamer has made a firm call in this type of situation. Last season, linebacker Bangally Kamara was dismissed from the program under similar circumstances after requesting to redshirt mid-season.
“He came in my office and told me he was redshirting,” Beamer recalled at the time. “I told him that’s not quite how this works. We can have a discussion about his role… We went back and forth a little bit [on his situation]… In the end I made the decision for him that it was probably best to move on.”
Kamara’s locker was cleared out shortly after, and he lost access to team facilities — a precedent that now seems to apply to Smith as well.
What’s Next for Smith?
Though his time in Columbia is over, Smith’s talent and recruiting pedigree should draw interest from top programs across the country. A fresh start could also bring a lucrative NIL opportunity, especially given his potential as a pass-catching tight end.
Ironically, had Smith stayed, he likely would have been in line to start next season with both Hunt and Dingle expected to graduate. But by all indications, Beamer’s decision was final — a return was never on the table.
New Number, New Era: Vandrevius Jacobs Takes Over
In a symbolic twist, standout receiver Vandrevius Jacobs has already claimed Smith’s old No. 4 jersey. The Florida State transfer has quickly become LaNorris Sellers’ favorite target, leading the team with 18 receptions for 323 yards.
Jacobs has posted back-to-back 100-yard games and will now take the field in his new number when the Gamecocks travel to LSU this weekend — marking the start of a new chapter for one receiver, and the end of another for Smith.
