After losing one tight end to the transfer portal and another from eligibility requirements South Carolina was thin coming into the 2026 offseason in that room.

It was a rough year for South Carolina football. The Gamecocks entered 2025 ready to build on a 9-3 season from 2024 and potentially solidify themselves as a College Football Playoff dark horse. Instead, USC went 4-8, won just one SEC game and simply fell well short of expectations .

The impact of former Gamecocks quarterback Steve Taneyhill is felt not only in Columbia, but across the state of South Carolina and beyond.

Transfer portal season has begun with the window set to open in January. South Carolina's roster is already seeing movement as offensive lineman Mac Walters announces plans to enter the transfer portal.

South Carolina has its full 2026 football schedule, which was released Dec.11. Here are the dates, opponents with an SEC opener vs. Mississippi State.