South Carolina suffered a setback when star linebacker Andrew Jones, just days after committing to the Gamecocks, chose to join SEC rival Ole Miss.
Many Gamecock fans felt that Jones used South Carolina as leverage in his negotiations with the Rebels, but ultimately, the Southwestern Atlantic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year decided to take his talents elsewhere.
Jones’ decision to head to Mississippi was a blow to South Carolina, which was already facing depth issues at linebacker.
The situation is further complicated by uncertainty around the future of Demetrius Knight Jr., Bam Martin-Scott, and Debo Williams, as it remains unclear whether they will stay with the Gamecocks or transfer.
However, South Carolina received some positive news with the addition of former four-star linebacker Shawn Murphy from Florida State via the transfer portal.
Murphy, who previously played at Alabama for two years before transferring to Florida State, spent one season with the Seminoles. Despite Florida State’s underwhelming season, Murphy comes to South Carolina with two years of eligibility remaining due to a redshirt year.
At Florida State, Murphy recorded 13 total tackles and six solo tackles. With three years of Power Conference experience, he should be a strong fit in Clayton White’s defensive scheme. The former four-star recruit from Virginia is expected to provide valuable leadership and experience to South Carolina’s younger linebackers.
Murphy joins fellow transfers Nick Sharpe, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Dingle, and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy in South Carolina’s current transfer class, further bolstering the Gamecocks’ roster as they look to address their linebacker depth and improve their defense.
