Pair of former South Carolina offensive lineman find new homes via transfer portal

In recent days, former South Carolina offensive linemen Aaryn “AJ” Parks and Ni Mansell signed with new teams. Parks will spend 2025 with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, while Mansell will play for the South Alabama Jaguars.

Neither Parks nor Manswell played for the Gamecocks in 2024. Both players are redshirt seniors and should have one year of eligibility remaining.

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Aaryn “AJ” Parks South Carolina Bio on GamecocksOnline

Offensive lineman who spent one season in Columbia… began his career with a four-year stint at Oklahoma… appeared in eight games for the Sooners… submitted his name into the transfer portal following the 2024 regular season.

2024 (Redshirt Senior)
Joined the Gamecock program in the spring… worked at tackle during spring drills… suffered a right ankle injury during fall camp that required surgery… was sidelined for the season.

2023 (Redshirt Junior)
Played in three games as a reserve offensive lineman… saw action vs. Arkansas State, at Tulsa and vs. West Virginia.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Played in five games in backup role at tackle… saw action vs. UTEP, Kent State, at Iowa State, vs. Baylor and vs. Florida State in Cheez-It Bowl.

2021 (Redshirt Freshman)
Reserve offensive lineman… did not see any game action.

2020 (Freshman)
Reserve offensive lineman… did not see any game action… redshirted in his first season at Oklahoma.

HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md… ranked the No. 69 recruit in the country by Rivals and No. 362 by 247Sports … considered the No. 9 offensive tackle in the 2020 class by Rivals and No. 39 by ESPN… regarded as the No. 12 offensive guard by 247Sports… rated the No. 6 prospect in the state of Maryland by Rivals and No. 14 by 247Sports and ESPN.

PERSONAL
Aaryn J. Parks was born April 1, 2001… is a services management major.

Ni Mansell South Carolina Bio on GamecocksOnline

Walk-on interior offensive lineman who began his career at Mercer… played two seasons with the Gamecocks appearing in two contests… saw action in 30 games with 12 starts for the Bears and head coach Drew Cronic, playing both left and right guard… entered the transfer portal following the regular season as a grad transfer.

2024 (Redshirt Senior)
Fifth-year player who was in his second season in Columbia… saw brief action in two contests (Akron and Wofford) as a reserve offensive lineman.

2023 (Redshirt Junior)
Transfer from Mercer who joined the team over the summer as a walk-on… worked with the scout team until suffering an ankle injury in practice on Sept. 24… had season-ending surgery the next day… did not see any game action.

2022 (Junior)
Played and started 10 of 11 games at Mercer, his first season as a regular on the offensive line… the Bears logged a 7-4 record in the SoCon.

2021 (Sophomore)
Came off the bench in nine games for the Mercer Bears primarily at offensive guard… the Bears posted a 7-3 mark including a 6-2 ledger in the SoCon.

2020 (Freshman)
Played in 11 games for Mercer primarily at offensive guard… logged a pair of starts… team played games in both the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2021, going 5-6 overall, including a 5-3 mark in the SoCon.

HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from Westside High School in Anderson, S.C. in 2020… coached by Scott Earley… made the inaugural squad for the South Carolina Coaches All-State team as an honorable mention selection.

PERSONAL
Nigajuan J. Mansell was born June 3, 2002… is a services management major who graduated in December 2024.

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