South Carolina lost another pair of impact players from its roster, Thursday. In a video posted to social media, cornerback Darius Rush (C.E. Murray) declared his intention to enter the NFL draft and edge rusher Gilber Edmond (Fort Pierce, Fl.) announced via Twitter that he would be leaving South Carolina’s program and entering the Transfer Portal. The Gamecocks defense will have to find a pass rush against Notre Dame without Edmond or defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, who previously announced his intentions to skip the Gator Bowl in preparation for the NFL Draft. USC’s secondary has also been depleted with two starters, Rush and Cam Smith, opting out.
Edmond finished the regular season with 39 tackles, two sacks and a team-high nine tackles for loss. Edmond tallied seven tackles and a sack against Kentucky earlier this season and helped USC knock off Clemson with five tackles and a TFL against the Tigers. Rush had 38 tackles and two interceptions this season.
The Gamecocks had previously lost Marshawn Lloyd (RB), Jaheim Bell (TE), Austin Stogner (TE) and RJ Roderick (S) to the portal, but Edmond is the first healthy defensive starter to announce his intention to transfer.
