Southern Cal QB transfer: ‘Of course’ there’s interest in South Carolina

South Carolina lost top running back MarShawn Lloyd to Southern Cal last year as a transfer. Could the Gamecocks gain a quarterback transfer from the Trojans?

It’s way too early to know where things might lead, but Southern Cal freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson (6-3, 190) told SportsTalk on Tuesday that he does have interest in the Gamecocks.

”Of course, there is an interest in SC, love what they do with qbs,” Nelson responded in a direct message on social media.

Nelson entered the transfer portal Monday, and he should have his pick of programs that are looking for a transfer quarterback. He was one of the top QBs nationally in the 2023 class and enrolled at Southern Cal in March. e appeared in one game this season, completing one of three passes for no yards.

Pete Nakos of On3 later reported that Nelson’s “camp” has had contact from Tulane, TCU, South Carolina, Houston and Cal. Nelson is a native of Los Alamitos, California. In his three-year high school career, Nelson passed for 5,086 yards with 70 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

The Gamecocks are in the market for a transfer quarterback after losing out on Vanderbilt’s AJ Swann, who chose LSU on Monday. Swann might have silently committed to Shane Beamer on Sunday afternoon, initiating a commitment alert on social media by Beamer, only to publicly announce Monday afternoon for the Tigers. He never announced a commitment to the Gamecocks.

Other QB options

Texas transfer Maalik Murphy visited USC on Saturday in between stops at Duke and Oregon State. He was the backup to Quinn Ewers this season and started two games.

There is also former Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson in the portal. Jefferson certainly knows USC offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains and receivers coach Justin Stepp. Both were at Arkansas with him. However, Brad Crawford of 247Sports reported Tuesday that the Gamecocks won’t be involved with Jefferson, with Miami, UCF and TCU more likeily possibilities.

Loggains might also have some interest in recent portal entrant Robbie Ashford of Auburn.

Jayden McGowan update

Monday night, a source said Gamecock transfer receiver commitment Jayden McGowan (Vanderbilt) could end up at Boston College. The source said that NIL would be the difference-maker.

McGowan did not respond to a request for comment. He did post on X a response to a comment from an apparent Gamecock fan: “No decisions I make are because of money. I am perfectly fine with my financial situation now. God is involved in every decision I make, and your comment isn’t going to convince me otherwise.”

News and notes

▪ The Gamecocks apparently will not sign WR/DB Zy’Marion Lang of Sarasota, Florida, according to TheBigSpur, though a reason was not reported. Lang publicly committed to the Gamecocks July 30 over Pittsburgh, Kansas State and USF.

▪ USC defensive back commitment Braydon Lee of Springdale, Maryland, who has been getting a late push from Maryland, has set noon Wednesday for his signing. He plans to stream the announcement live on his Instagram page.