South Carolina losing wide receiver and tight end to transfer portal
South Carolina wide receiver Tyshawn Russell plans on entering the transfer portal, he announced via social media on Tuesday afternoon.
The Pennsylvania native committed to South Carolina as a three-star prospect in the Class of 2023 but has played sparingly over the past two seasons.
As a true freshman, he played in 10 games, caught five passes for 81 yards and caught a memorable 50-yard touchdown from LaNorris Sellers in a win over Furman. But Russell didn’t play at all in 2024 and didn’t even dress for a number of home games, despite being healthy.
“I would like to thank the University of South Carolina, the coaching staff and everyone involved for giving me the opportunity to further mt academic education,” Russel wrote on X. “After much consideration and talks with my family, I have decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.”
Reid Mikeska to the portal
Just minutes after Russell announced his intentions Tuesday, another pass catcher did the same.
Redshirt freshman tight end Reid Mikeska also plans to enter the portal, searching for a new home with four years of eligibility left.
“I thank the University of South Carolina, my coaches, teammates and the incredible Gamecock fans for the great memories and unwavering support throughout my journey here,” Mikeska wrote on X.
Mikeska, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound redshirt freshman from Texas, did not record any stats for the Gamecocks — stuck in a loaded tight end room behind Joshua Simon, Brady Hunt, Michael Smith and Maurice Brown.
He enrolled at South Carolina in 2023 as a three-star tight end prospect, choosing the Gamecocks after initially committing to Clemson and Miami.
While both Russell and Mikeska have announced their intentions to depart Columbia, the transfer portal does not officially open until next Monday, Dec. 9. So far, five South Carolina players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal.
That’s despite South Carolina (9-3) waiting to learn of its postseason fate — whether that includes a spot in the College Football Playoff or a bowl game.
TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER
- OL — Ni Mansell
- TE — Reid Mikeska
- WR — Tyshawn Russell
- LB — Mo Kaba
- DL — Jamaal Whyce
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 1:55 PM with the headline "South Carolina losing wide receiver and tight end to transfer portal."
