South Carolina to lose experienced offensive lineman to transfer portal, per report
By David Wasson
Published:
The South Carolina Gamecocks are reportedly losing another player to the transfer portal when it officially opens Friday, as senior offensive lineman Rodney Newsom Jr. is set to depart Columbia.
On3Sports reported Monday that Newsom, who started three games in 2025 for the Gamecocks after transferring in from Western Kentucky following the 2024 season, will seek a new home for his final season of eligibility.
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Newsom started against numerous games this season. He played 223 snaps this year, most of them at center, according to Pro Football Focus. Newsom appeared in all 13 games for Western Kentucky in 2024 and started in 11.
Prior to his time as a Hilltopper, Newsom played in 2023 at Itawamba (Miss.) CC and spent 2020-22 at Memphis – including leaving the Tigers squad midway through the 2022 season.
South Carolina struggled to a 4-8 record in 2025, losing all of its SEC games save for a 35-13 home decision against Kentucky.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, who will begin his sixth season in Columbia in 2026, has seen 16 Gamecocks declare for the transfer portal so far, including five offensive linemen.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
