Wednesday is National Signing Day, where the top high school recruits in the country are signing where they are going to play college football. However, the transfer portal is now a huge part of college football.

South Carolina has been one of the more involved teams when it comes to the transfer portal, but the Gamecocks will be losing a multi-year OL starter to the transfer portal, according to a report from Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

Jaylen Nichols has entered the transfer portal, and this is a big loss for the Gamecocks as he has started multiple years at different positions.

South Carolina offensive lineman Jaylen Nichols has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @247sports.

Missed this year due to an injury but was the Gamecocks’ starting left tackle in 2022 and a starting guard in 2021.https://t.co/tknb8QX6wA pic.twitter.com/jju0gR7W96

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 20, 2023

Nichols missed last season with an injury, but was expected to be back this upcoming season. In 2022, Nichols started at the left tackle position, and was a starting guard in 2021. That versatility and ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line will make him a valuable piece that many teams will be interested in.

The Gamecocks have been extremely aggressive in beefing up the defensive line in the transfer portal, as their top two transfers, Drew Tuazama and Jatius Greer, are both defensive lineman.

Mark Kern