South Carolina football will not have another DB in 2021.
South Carolina parted ways with Will Muschamp in mid-November, prompting a series of withdrawals and withdrawals from players who had been loyal to the former Gamecock coach. Another name can now be added to that list, as safety Shilo Sanders announced his intention to transfer from the university before the 2021 season.
Sanders, a redshirt freshman from Cedar Hill, Texas, had his first career start in 2020, breaking the opening lineup in Gamecocks’ fourth week against Auburn. He recorded his career record with 10 tackles in that fight and ended the year with 32 total takedowns and a pass separation.
Recruited as a member of the 2019 class, he was rated by 247 Sports as a three-star product, the 665th best player in the country and the 83rd best candidate in the State of Lone Star. He has committed to playing for Gamecocks on several major offers, including one from his father and Deion’s alma mater, the cornerback of the Florida State Hall of Fame.
What does the Sanders transfer mean for South Carolina football?
Sanders now becomes the third member of South Carolina starting secondary to announce his plans to leave the program, joining Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu, who made their decisions to opt out of the final three games of the season in order to prepare for the NFL’s 2021 Draft. Security mate RJ Roderick also dropped out of the year earlier, but he has yet to make an announcement about his future plans.
With three, maybe four newcomers coming out of the defensive backfield of 2020, Gamecocks will be invited to count on the youth in position next year. Cam Smith and John Dixon saw an increase in playing time over the second half of the season and performed well by adding the necessary experience. Young Joey Hunter, O’Donnell Fortune and Dominick Hill are expected to contribute in 2021.
This move could also result in the Gamecocks’ new head coach, Shane Beamer, either searching the transfer portal for a replacement, or hitting the JUCO ranks in the 2021 recruiting class.
While it is not technically certain that Sanders will not be in Columbia next season, as players have the option of returning to the original school after entering the portal, most are pegging security to end up at the FCS Jackson State program, where their my father just got the position of head coach. Her brother, Shedeur, is also committed to the university.