The Gamecocks have added another linebacker through the transfer portal, shortly after losing one to Ole Miss. South Carolina saw star linebacker Andrew Jones decommit and head to SEC rival Ole Miss, sparking speculation among fans that Jones may have used the Gamecocks as leverage with the Rebels. Ultimately, the Southwestern Atlantic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year chose to continue his career in Mississippi.
Jones’ departure is a blow to South Carolina, which is already facing uncertainty at the linebacker position for next season. The futures of Demetrius Knight Jr., Bam Martin-Scott, and Debo Williams with the team remain unclear, leaving a potential gap in the lineup.
However, head coach Shane Beamer received some good news, securing former four-star linebacker Shawn Murphy from the transfer portal. Murphy arrives from Florida State, where he spent one season following two years at Alabama under Nick Saban. After Saban’s retirement, Murphy left the Crimson Tide to join Florida State, which had high expectations for 2024 but fell short of them.
At Florida State, Murphy recorded 13 total tackles, including six solo tackles. With two years of eligibility remaining thanks to a redshirt year, he’s expected to fit well in Clayton White’s defensive scheme. The Virginia native brings three years of Power Conference experience and valuable leadership for South Carolina’s younger linebackers.
Murphy joins Nick Sharpe, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Dingle, and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy as part of South Carolina’s current transfer class.
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