Notes on Gamecocks’ latest portal addition

The South Carolina Gamecocks, looking to continue to add to their offensive line room, added a commitment from Charlotte transfer portal offensive tackle Jaxon Hughes following a visit to the school.

— Hughes is coming on board as a preferred walk-on addition so this is a no-risk, potentially high-reward move for the Gamecocks.

— The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder started the last two seasons at Charlotte and is a former defensive lineman who didn’t transition over to the offensive line until college. Looking back at his senior high school film, it appears he only played defensive line and tight end.

So there’s some in-game experience here (he played in Williams-Brice last season against the Gamecocks) and South Carolina believes he’s got some upside both in terms of his athleticism and the fact he hasn’t been playing on the offensive line long.

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— With Jaylen Nichols out for at least the start of the season and the lack of experience behind him once you get past Jakai Moore, this is a resourceful addition to the roster at what has all of a sudden become a position of need. While it’s easy to say “just go get a starting SEC left tackle out of the portal to replace him,” guys like that just simply aren’t available and finding true tackles in general (from anywhere – portal, high school, JUCO etc.) is difficult since the required skillset is rare.

— Hughes has two years of eligibility left so there will be some time for him to develop and grow under offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley. At the very least, he can potentially provide depth at a position that needed it. Best case scenario, he keeps developing under Teasley and becomes a future contributor.

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Jaxon Hughes Bio from Charlotte

At Charlotte: Returning starting offensive lineman … has started on the O-Line in each of the last two years … converted defensive lineman … a member of the 49ers eighth recruiting class. 2022: Played and started in 11 games at left tackle … anchored an offensive line that protected the 49ers’ record-setting passing game … CLT put up a record 3252 passing yards and a 271.0 passing average. 2021: Started all seven games played … missed five games with injury … started first five games at left tackle … shifted to right tackle for two starts … key in protecting dual-threat QB Chris Reynolds, who ranked second in C-USA in points responsible for and passing TDs and broke single-season records for passing yards and TDs. 2020: Played in three games after shifting to the offensive line … first collegiate action came at Florida Atlantic … also played at North Texas and at Duke. 2019: Served redshirt season.

Academics: Dean’s List: Spring 2021 … Athletic Director’s List: Spring 2022.

At Northern Guilford: Had 65 tackles with 23.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks and one forced fumble … honorable mention all-Area by Greensboro News & Record … Nighthawks tied for second in the Mid-State 3A Conference … advanced to the 3AA State playoffs … went 8-4 under coach Erik Westberg.

Personal: Born May 24, 2001 … parents are Carla and Sean Hughes … Mom played softball at Ohio State … has two sisters: Maddux and Lynnix … Maddux played softball for the 49ers … enjoys video games and cars.

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