Former South Carolina linebacker becomes first transfer portal player to find new home
On Monday, according to a report from On3’s Pet Nakos, former Gamecock Bangally Kamara verbally committed to the Kansas Jayhawks. Kamara left the South Carolina football program last month after (unsuccessfully) approaching head coach Shane Beamer about redshirting the rest of the 2024 season. The linebacker will not take any more visits and will join the Jayhawks this offseason. Because he only played four games this year, Kamara will have one more year of eligibility.
As a graduate student, Kamara had the freedom to hit the portal immediately and begin talking to other schools. It took him less than four weeks to find a new home. He is believed to be the first player to commit publicly out of the portal during this transfer cycle. Before joining the Gamecocks through the transfer portal this winter, he played four seasons with the Pitt Panthers.
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During his time at South Carolina, Kamara logged nine tackles through four games as a key reserve. He was playing well and seeing increased playing time before he decided to redshirt and pursue one final year of eligibility. In two games since Kamara’s departure, the Gamecocks are 2-0 with wins at Oklahoma and over top-10 Texas A&M at home.
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Kamara was one of two transfer linebackers who joined the South Carolina football program this offseason. Demetrius Knight (Charlotte 49ers) was the other. Knight has been one of the highest-graded linebackers in the country this season according to PFF. Without Kamara the last two weeks, Knight, All-SEC ‘backer Debo Williams, and senior Bam Martin-Scott have played more snaps.
For non-graduate students, the transfer portal does not open officially until December 7th. South Carolina, like every other program, then will see players come and go through the portal for 30 days.
