Transfer portal target watchlist: Spring window
The NCAA transfer portal spring window is officially open and GamecockCentral will keep its readers aware of the South Carolina football targets to know throughout the two-week window.
The spring transfer window opened on April 16 and runs through April 30.
GamecockCentral’s Transfer Portal Target Watchlist will provide a snapshot of all of South Carolina’s targets or potential targets who are in the transfer portal. Since not all players in the portal provide info on offers, a player’s inclusion on our Watchlist does not necessarily mean he has an offer, but we do try to verify that there is some level of mutual interest before putting a player’s name on the list.
The portal can also run fast, so the Watchlist will be fluid, and frankly at times incomplete, but we’ll do our best to keep it updated as a one-stop reference for the Gamecocks’ portal activity. The South Carolina Transfer Portal Tracker serves in a similar capacity but for players on the current roster who have entered the portal or players who have committed to South Carolina.
South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:
South Carolina Portal Tracker (link will be live soon)
Get portal news notifications with the App
Updated: 4/17/24
What positions will the Gamecocks look for in the portal?
The main position to look at is wide receiver. South Carolina brought in three pass-catchers from the portal in the 2024 class, and all should factor in this season. However, the staff will watch portal entries heavily in this window as well.
If there is a receiver or two in the portal with size – think 6-foot-2 or over – and talent, it’s a safe bet that we will see Shane Beamer and company take a hard look.
While USC taking a look at some other positions cannot be ruled out, wide receiver is the priority.
South Carolina Transfer Portal Watchlist
South Carolina Targets
WR Sam Brown (Houston (NEW)
Bloomingdale (Ga.) New Hampstead | 6-foot-2, 186 pounds | 2 years of eligibility | 62 catches for 815 yards and 3 TDs as a junior
The latest: We hear that Brown is a player that the Gamecocks staff has done a good amount of research on so far. He played a bunch of snaps last season, most of them out wide. He fits the profile of what South Carolina is looking to bring in as a pass-catcher during this portal window. Current USC EDGE Kyle Kennard made a post on social media imploring Brown to join the program. We’ve also heard there’s a family connection to the city of Columbia, so this one seems worth monitoring.
WR Justus Ross-Simmons (Colorado State) (NEW)
Inglewood (Ca.) | 6-foot-3, 215-pounds | 2 years of eligibility | 45 catches for 724 yards and 3 TDs as a sophomore
The latest: Ross-Simmons is slated to take a visit to Syracuse this weekend, per Pete Nakos of On3. Other programs to have contacted the California native are Washington, Southern Cal, Michigan State, Liberty, and Cincinnati, per reports. South Carolina is also in that group. We have not yet heard if a trip to Columbia could be on the docket for this rising junior, who brings excellent size to the position.
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Penn State)
Norfolk (Va.) Maury | 6-foot-1, 188-pounds | 1 year of eligibility | 53 catches for 673 yards and 4 TDs as a junior
The Latest: Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it’s important to remember that it’s extremely early in this portal window. There are only two things that are for sure about Lambert-Smith at this point: the Gamecocks are interested and there is going to be a long, long list of other schools who are also interested in Penn State’s leading receiver. The Gamecocks are going to take a swing here but given Penn State’s offensive struggles, and namely its QB issues, Lambert-Smith may be looking for a spot with a more solidified QB situation. The Gamecocks have had some success a his former high school, though, so we’ll be tracking this one.
More names will be added as we receive word that there’s interest.
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