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The South Carolina Gamecocks finished the 2023 season with an underwhelming 5-7 record. Looking to bounce back next season the Gamecocks are in desperate need of a strong transfer class, and so far they’ve done that.
South Carolina has been on fire recently in the transfer portal, as of now they have the 5th best transfer class in the country. Out of the 17 incoming transfers to the team, these are my top five standouts.
RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders
Rocket Sanders is by far the biggest name transferring to South Carolina. Sanders had a season-ending injury in 2023, but in 2022 he rushed for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. Sanders would’ve been a huge pickup for any team but for the Gamecocks it was like a wish come true due to their pitiful run game in 2023 (126 out of 130 teams).
Taking off!
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) December 20, 2023
Welcome home, @raheim_sanders! pic.twitter.com/axBxtpn7CW
WR Jared Brown
Jared Brown is transferring in from Coastal Carolina and coming off two back-to-back years of 740+ receiving yards. After losing six WRs in the portal, including superstar WR Antwane “Juice” Wells to Ole Miss, South Carolina needed to make moves to fix this depleted WR room and Brown is a step in the right direction.
DL Kyle Kennard
Kyle Kennard is coming off his best season at Georgia Tech with 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception. South Carolina was in high need of defensive linemen after only getting 21 sacks the whole season, which is tied with Vanderbilt for the fewest in the SEC.
New HOME ! #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/91L9ynDk0P
— K9 (@KyleKennard1) December 15, 2023
LB Demetrius Knight
Demetrius Knight had 96 total tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1.5 sacks in the 2023 season for the Charlotte 49ers. Picking up an LB was a big need for the Gamecocks due to losing starting LB Stone Blanton to Mississippi State, and freshman LB Grayson “Pup” Howard to Florida. Knight will be alongside star LB Debo Williams next season and could be a duo to look out for.
RB Jawarn Howell
Jawarn Howell had an excellent freshman season at SC State, putting up 809 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. The crazy thing is he did that with only 102 carries, meaning he averaged 7.9 yards per carry. Howell is an absolute hidden gem, and he’ll prove that this upcoming season with the Gamecocks.
— Jawarn Howell (@HowellJawarn) December 22, 2023
Having all these great transfers is good news for Shane Beamer and the South Carolina fans but we’ll have to wait and see if they can put things together next season.
More must-reads:
- Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
- Top moments from 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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Bryce Underwood Notices Unexpected Coincidence Amid 5-Star Recruit's Michigan Themed Announcement
The Michigan Wolverines tore it up on the recruiting trail in 2024-25 and have regained their momentum for the Class of 2026 heading into the 2025 season. Recently one of the Class of 2026's top players, running back Savion Hiter of Mineral, Virginia, made a Michigan-themed announcement, listing the Wolverines among his final four schools alongside Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee. Hiter named his announcement date, causing Michigan freshman QB Bryce Underwood to notice a strange, unexpected coincidence. Hiter announced August 19 of this year as his announcement date which caught Underwood's eye. "lol, that's my birthday," the Michigan QB wrote on Instagram following the news. Hiter is a high priority recruiting target for the Wolverines and is ranked as the nation's number one running back according to several scouting services including 247Sports.com. Underwood's August 19 birthday is 11 days before he is scheduled to take the field as a college player for the first time, likely as Michigan's starting quarterback, against the New Mexico Lobos at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. An Underwood/Hiter duo in 2026 would likely be the highest ranked quarterback/running back duo in the country based on high school rankings, should it come to fruition in Ann Arbor. Hiter is also ranked as the number one player in the state of Virginia and the number nine ranked player nationally according to 247Sports.
Top moments from 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions
The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class had its day in Cooperstown on Sunday. This year's class included Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, who were elected by the eligible voters from the Baseball Writer's Association of America, and Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. Here are some of the top highlights from Sunday's induction speeches. Dave Parker's son reads poem written by Hall of Fame father Parker's induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue, and he sadly did not have the opportunity to enjoy the moment of seeing his name in the Hall of Fame as he died June 28. That left his speech in the hands of his son, Dave Parker II, who read a poem written by his dad. Parker spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was an MVP winner, two-time batting champion and World Series champion with the 1979 "We Are Family" team. Dick Allen's wife remembers his kindness Allen was the other veterans committee inductee, and his widow, Willa Allen, spent the majority of her speech remember the kindness of Allen off the field as much as his ability on the field. Allen is going into the Hall of Fame as a Phillie but won the 1972 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox. He led the league in OPS four times and was the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year. A reminder that Billy Wagner wasn't naturally left-handed Being left-handed is a huge advantage (and money-maker) for pitchers, and Wagner was one of the most dominant left-handed relief pitchers to ever step onto a mound in the big leagues. But he wasn't always left-handed. Wagner was a natural-born right-handed person but taught himself how to throw left-handed after fracturing his right arm twice as a kid. It led to quite a career. Wagner made a name for himself with the Houston Astros but also spent years with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox. CC Sabathia takes playful dig at Ichiro Sabathia accomplished a ton in his 19-year big league career. He won 251 games, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award, was the 2009 ALCS MVP and a World Series champion. He still has apparently not gotten over the one individual award he did not win — the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year Award, which went to fellow 2025 inductee Ichiro. Sabathia made sure to make a playful dig at that. Sabathia was the only American League rookie outside of Ichiro — who also won the American League MVP that year — to get a first-place vote. He received one. The others all went to Ichiro. Ichiro stole the show Ichiro stole 509 bases in his Hall of Fame career, and on Sunday, he added one more steal to his list of accomplishments by absolutely stealing the show at Cooperstown. He delivered two of the best lines of the day, first by calling out the one lone writer who did not vote for him, keeping him from being just the second unanimous Hall of Fame inductee ever (after Mariano Rivera). His best line of the day, however, might have been when he referenced his brief time as a member of the Miami Marlins toward the end of his career. Ichiro played 14 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners while also spending time with the Marlins and Yankees.
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie had three words for Angel Reese
Now in her second WNBA season, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is averaging a league‑leading 12.5 rebounds along with 13.8 points, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. She recently returned from injury and immediately picked up where she left off, posting her 16th double‑double of the season (11 points, 11 rebounds) on Tuesday night even as her Chicago Sky fell, 91-68, to the Minnesota Lynx. Then, on Wednesday, Reese showcased her brand power on Instagram, posting a pregame photo dressed head‑to‑toe in Gucci with the caption, "Don’t worry about me… life is GUCCI @gucci #guccipartner." The image quickly lit up her feed and drew an immediate response from one of the game’s all‑time greats, WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, who commented, “Yessss it is❤️." Despite flashes of elite play, the Sky have struggled mightily, standing at just 7-17 and sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference. Their 76.7 points per game rank 12th in the WNBA, and opponents are torching them for 86.8 a night (12th in the league). With head coach Tyler Marsh searching for consistency, every bright spot has been a welcome reprieve for a franchise that won the title as recently as 2021. Front and center among Chicago’s bright spots is Reese. Off the court, Reese has quickly built a burgeoning portfolio of endorsement deals, including Reebok, Calvin Klein, Beats by Dre, Amazon and now Gucci, underscoring her status as one of the WNBA’s brightest personalities. On the other side, you have Leslie, whose voice carries more weight than arguably anybody in women’s basketball. A three‑time league MVP, two‑time WNBA champion and Finals MVP and eight‑time All‑Star, Leslie helped define the league’s early years with the Los Angeles Sparks, including driving home the first dunk in WNBA history in 2002. A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer (class of 2015), she remains a global ambassador for the sport.
4 winners (and 1 loser) from Week 1 of Commanders 2025 training camp
It was a fascinating first week of training camp for the Washington Commanders. And aside from one major distraction, everything went according to plan. This is the bedding-in period for players and coaches alike. The tempo gradually ramps up, leading into padded practices. These are always the best measuring sticks to see what the Commanders have and what more might be needed to mount another deep playoff run in 2025. Dan Quinn and his exceptional coaching staff must be thrilled with the way things are going so far. Players are coming to the fore. Injuries have been avoided. Others are cementing their respective statuses, as a select few are already fighting losing battles. The table has been set for when physicality rises, and those struggling right now face a race against time to turn the tide. Big things are expected of the Commanders this season. They are aiming to prove their phenomenal early success under Quinn can be sustained. And make no mistake, there is no room for passengers going through the motions at camp. With this in mind, here are four winners and one loser from Washington's first week of training camp. Winners and losers from Week 1 of Commanders 2025 training camp Winner No. 1 Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB The Washington Commanders' defensive backs wasted no time in stamping their authority on training camp. And unsurprisingly, there is one player arguably shining above all else. Mike Sainristil enjoyed a phenomenal rookie campaign. It went overlooked compared to quarterback Jayden Daniels' heroics, but it was extremely impressive when one considers the pre-draft concerns about his size and the fact that he had to switch from his preferred spot in the nickel to the boundary. With some impressive offseason additions all hitting the ground running, it has allowed Sainristil to switch back to the slot. This is the position where he starred for the Michigan Wolverines en route to a college football national championship. It's also where he flashed significant promise as a rookie before Joe Whitt Jr. had to pivot. Sainristil has been nothing short of outstanding at training camp so far. The defensive back looks assured in coverage, anticipating things well and converting opportunities into turnovers. There's a swagger to his approach that's hard not to love, and his friendly battle with Daniels is helping both reach new heights. The second-year pro showcased his dependability on countless occasions last season. Sainristil is a stud in every sense of the term. If the same trend continues into the regular season, he'll cement his status as a franchise cornerstone. Winner No. 2 Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR The criticism leveled at Deebo Samuel Sr. since his offseason trade to the Washington Commanders has lit a fire under the veteran wide receiver. And if he carries this extra motivation into the regular season, the franchise is going to reap the rewards. Adam Peters knows Samuel well. There is a trust attached, and the general manager believes there is still some good football left. Considering it only cost the Commanders a fifth-round pick to find out for sure, it was a risk well worth taking. Samuel has been getting heat from all angles. Most of this centered on his attitude, conditioning, and work ethic. It's early days, but the former second-round pick out of South Carolina is on course to emphatically silence his doubters. The versatile weapon showed up at camp in tremendous shape. Samuel's hard work away from the team has paid off handsomely. He's sharp, explosive, and developing a strong rapport with quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels. The trajectory is firmly pointing up. Everyone knows what Samuel brings to the table when he's motivated. The fire still burns within the player, and the Commanders are going to give him a platform that allows him to excel within Kliff Kingsbury's creative schematic concepts. Based on his early camp contribution, Samuel is eager to make the most of it. Winner No. 3 Trey Amos - Commanders CB The Commanders ended Trey Amos' concerning slide at No. 61 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Adam Peters wasn't too bothered about the cornerback's back issue that came up during medical assessments. And the rookie is keen to repay the faith shown in his abilities by Washington's power brokers. Amos hit the ground running over Washington's offseason program. There were no health issues, and the defensive back picked things up quickly. The Commanders are making him earn everything, but there's a growing belief he'll be starting on the boundary opposite four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore in Week 1 against the New York Giants. Despite splitting reps with two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones, there's no doubt that Amos is seizing the initiative. His physicality, ability in coverage, and his willingness to take on any challenge, no matter how steep, have gone down a storm so far. His transition has been seamless, and it looks like the Commanders have a genuine steal on their hands. What comes next for Amos is more important. Joint practices will be a solid measuring stick for the player. The coaching staff will be watching his preseason progress closely before fully determining his role. But things couldn't be going much better right now. Loser No. 1 Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR Terry McLaurin still doesn't have his new contract from the Washington Commanders. The wide receiver felt holding out of training camp was the best way to pile on the pressure, but it hasn't had the desired effect as yet. Both sides remain committed to finding some middle ground. This has gone on longer than originally anticipated as general manager Adam Peters looks for a deal that benefits the Commanders as well as the player. McLaurin's frustrations are obvious, but his presence at the facility on Back Together Sunday brought fresh hope that an agreement was imminent. McLaurin is on the physically unable to perform list with a reported ankle issue. He's missed a full week of practice, which is far from ideal. But if the lucrative contract extension arrives and the injury recovers fully, the former third-round selection out of Ohio State should be ready to make an immediate impact in Week 1 against the New York Giants. Players are rallying around McLaurin. He got a hero's reception from fans upon his triumphant return to Ashburn. The wideout's back for them, but he's unlikely to take the practice field until he signs on the dotted line. The sooner that happens, the better. Winner No. 4 Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt emerged as an offseason standout almost from the moment he got into the building. Although this was positive, some fans wondered if the running back could keep this up when training camp rolled around. It's been so far, so good on that front. While it's difficult to evaluate running backs before the pads go on, the praise Croskey-Merritt is receiving from coaches and the flashes he's displaying at practice represent another positive step in the right direction. The Commanders saw something in Croskey-Merritt that others didn't. His draft stock took a major hit after the NCAA revoked his eligibility one game into his transfer to Arizona. After waiting until the No. 245 overall selection to hear his name called, the chip on his shoulder cannot be more obvious. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are the starting tandem, which is likely to remain the case heading into the season. But the decisiveness of Croskey-Merritt's cuts and his explosiveness to exploit gaps indicate a key rotational role is well within reach if everything checks out in the preseason. Bigger tests are coming for Croskey-Merritt. Even so, the backfield threat is off to a sensational start in pursuit of playing time. More Commanders news and analysis
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