South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and newly hired quarterbacks coach Kendal Briles are actively searching for an additional quarterback to join the Gamecocks’ 2026 roster. With LaNorris Sellers firmly established as the program’s starter, the transfer portal offers limited options, and most top-tier high school quarterbacks in the 2026 class have already signed elsewhere. That reality pushed the staff to explore the junior college level, where they identified a prospect they are especially high on in Malachi Marshall.
Marshall, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound quarterback and product of South Pointe High School, is coming off a standout All-American season at Iowa Western. He helped lead the Reivers to a junior college national championship and earned National Offensive Player of the Year honors along the way. His familiarity with Beamer helped open the door.
“I played in front of Coach Beamer a few times in his seven-on-seven program,” Marshall said. “He’s not unfamiliar with me. I believe one of his personnel guys showed him my film, and he remembered me, and that was that.”
That recognition led to an official visit to Columbia last Friday, where Marshall spent time with both Beamer and Briles. “Previously, I had conversations with Coach Briles and some of the staff members before I got up there, and then when I got up there, it was everything I expected,” Marshall said. “I’d already been to South Carolina a few times, so a lot of stuff wasn’t new to me, but it was great getting to see the place again, and meeting anybody who was new there on the staff… It was a great visit, in my opinion.”
During the visit, Marshall and Briles dove into the offensive scheme and quarterback responsibilities. Marshall left feeling confident that his skill set aligns with what Briles wants to do. “He sees a lot of my game in the way he plays offense,” Marshall said. “He feels like my arm speaks for itself. I can make any throw on the field… He said he liked everything I put on tape, and everything will translate to the offense he runs.”
Marshall understands the depth chart reality in Columbia and knows Sellers is entrenched as the starter. Still, the chance to compete in the SEC is appealing, even if meaningful playing time would likely come later. “LaNorris is the starter. That’s definitely the clear picture,” Marshall said. “For me, it was the opportunity to get on that stage… They want me to come in and compete and elevate the room… They want me to push everybody.”
The staff was transparent about their vision. “Basically, the plan is to use my redshirt year, and then I’ll have two remaining years,” Marshall said. “I’m a competitor at heart, but at the same time, I see the world for what it is… In life, sometimes you have to wait your turn. I know that. I wouldn’t be mad to wait my turn.”
Marshall has not made a decision yet. He is scheduled to visit Florida State this weekend, followed by trips to Marshall on Jan. 20 and Kent State three days later. A choice will come after those visits. He will not return to Iowa Western, instead completing his coursework online, graduating in late spring, and enrolling at his next school for the first summer session.
This past season, Marshall threw for 2,750 yards with 33 touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 63 percent of his passes.