Gamecocks add SEC linebacker transfer from the portal
South Carolina added a potential instant impact player to its defense Sunday when Ole Miss transfer portal linebacker Jaron Willis announced a pledge to the Gamecocks.
A former four-star prospect out of high school, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder was on an official visit to South Carolina over the weekend.
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Willis has four years of eligibility left to play after redshirting with the Rebels this season. He did not record any stats while appearing in one contest this year.
The former Blue Chip prospect will join a South Carolina linebacking corps that is replacing both of its starters, Brad Johson and Sherrod Greene, from its 2022 defense.
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Prior to enrolling at Ole Miss and subsequently entering the NCAA transfer portal in December, Willis was ranked the No. 209 overall recruit in the nation in the 2022 recruiting class, according to the On3 Consensus.
He was the No. 21 linebacker in his class and the No. 22 overall player in the state of Georgia, hailing from Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County, the same school as South Carolina running back Juju McDowell.
Earlier on Sunday, South Carolina added a commitment from Western Illinois transfer portal offensive lineman Sidney Fugar.
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South Carolina transfer portal additions
OL Sidney Fugar (Western Illinois)
Years of eligibility left: 3
On3 consensus ratings (HS): Not ranked
2022 stats: Played in nine games, making nine starts.
RB Mario Anderson (Newberry)
Years of eligibility left: 2
On3 consensus ratings (HS): Not ranked
2022 stats: 10 games, 211 attempts, 1,560 yards, 19 touchdowns, 7.4 yards per attempt
TE Nick Elksnis (Florida)
Years of eligibility left: 3
On3 consensus ratings (HS): Four-star, No. 390 nationally
2022 stats: Did not record an offensive stat in 2022
OL Nick Gargiulo (Yale)
Position: Interior offensive line
Years of eligibility left: 1
On3 consensus ratings: Not ranked
2022 stats: 636 snaps, 72.5 overall PFF grade, 74.3 pass block, 70.9 run block grade, three pressures allowed
TE Trey Knox (Arkansas)
Years of eligibility left: 1
On3 consensus ratings (HS): Four-star, No. 232 nationally
2022 stats: 26 catches, 296 yards, 5 touchdowns
TE Joshua Simon (Western Kentucky)
Years of eligibility left: 2
On3 consensus ratings (HS): Three-star, No. 2,356 nationally
2022 stats: 20 catches, 273 yards, 6 touchdowns
