SPORTZONE27

South Carolina’s offseason turnover along the offensive line continued Saturday when starting left tackle revealed on social media that he will enter the transfer portal, which opened Friday. Thompson becomes the seventh scholarship offensive lineman and the eighth lineman overall to signal his departure from the program. In his announcement, he acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but expressed confidence that the move is necessary for both his football development and personal growth.

A highly regarded five-star recruit from Dillon, Josiah Thompson was unusual in that he made an immediate impact upon arrival in Columbia. He earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman in 2024, starting 12 games and earning Freshman All-SEC honors as voted by the league’s coaches. Expectations were high heading into 2025, and Thompson once again started 12 games at left tackle. However, his second season did not feature the significant step forward many anticipated. According to Pro Football Focus, Thompson surrendered seven sacks in 2025, one more than the six he allowed as a freshman, while also being flagged for more penalties. His overall PFF grades remained largely unchanged year over year, with a slight decline in pass protection.

Even so, Thompson’s exit is surprising given his status as one of the crown jewels of South Carolina’s 2024 recruiting class alongside edge rusher Dylan Stewart. A former South Carolina Mr. Football, Thompson was expected to anchor the Gamecocks’ offensive line rebuild for years. Instead, the unit regressed in 2025, and his departure underscores the instability up front.

Looking ahead, South Carolina returns only two of the nine offensive linemen who made starts in 2025: freshman Shed Sarratt Jr. and senior Nolan Hay. As a result, the Gamecocks’ 2026 offensive line will depend heavily on transfer additions and the rapid development of young players such as Sarratt and incoming four-star freshman Darius Gray.