South Carolina has already added two offensive linemen from the transfer portal this cycle and the Gamecocks are not done adding at the position, according to head coach Shane Beamer.
With two projected guards already signed out of the portal, GamecockCentral has consistently told its subscribers that the Gamecocks would like to add another lineman, ideally a true center, from the transfer portal.
While Beamer did not specifically mention the center position, he did confirm the team’s plan to continue adding on the offensive line while in Orlando this week.
“We needed to increase the competition,” Beamer said Friday. “I think we’re still looking for interior offensive linemen in the portal for sure. The fact of the matter is, we lose our center and both guards. We’ve got young guys, it’s time for them to step up, like I said, but we also need to continue to bolster the competition in that room. We’ve done that already but I wouldn’t say we’re done there yet either.
The Gamecocks kicked off their portal recruiting on the o-line with the addition of former Wake Forest starter Nick Sharpe, who announced his commitment two and a half weeks ago.
The 6-foot-2, 330-pounder is considered the No. 53 interior offensive lineman in the portal.
South Carolina followed that up last week with a commitment from Western Kentucky transfer guard Rodney Newsom Jr.
The 6-foot-3, 303-pounder is ranked the No. 14 interior offensive lineman in the transfer portal.
With starting guards Torricelli Simpkins III and Kamaar Bell, both portal acquisitions last season, and starting center Vershon Lee all out of eligibility the Gamecocks will look for younger players to step up or veteran transfer players to take over those roles.
