South Carolina is losing a tight end from its program. Sophomore tight end Michael Smith has left the Gamecocks football team with the intention to redshirt and later enter the transfer portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3.
Smith played in 12 games for South Carolina as a true freshman in 2024. Alongside starter Josh Simon, Smith started in seven games, catching 10 passes for over 100 yards. Yet, his production has dipped in 2025. He’s played in just four games, catching just two passes while falling behind Jordan Dingle and Brady Hunt on the depth chart.
By making this decision now—after only playing in four games—he will be able to redshirt this season and enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
USC Bio:
2024-25 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
Second-year tight end…. listed as a returning starter after making seven starts in 2024 despite not joining the team until the summer… gained a wealth of experience as a true freshman, which should serve him well in 2025… did not participate in the spring due to a shoulder injury.
2024 (Freshman)
True freshman tight end who did not join the team until the summer but quickly found his way into early playing time… saw action in 12 of 13 games making seven starts… caught 10 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown… started the season opener against Old Dominion… along with LT Josiah Thompson, became the first true freshmen to start a season opener for the Gamecocks since 2019… started three of the first four and six of the first eight games… best game came in Week 2 when he set season highs with three catches for 44 yards including a season-long 36-yard reception at Kentucky… had a 25-yard catch at Oklahoma… lone touchdown reception came late in the Missouri contest… named to the 2024-25 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL
Tight end who graduated from Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School in 2024… led the Cavaliers to a 13-1 record and a spot in the Class 3A state semifinals as a senior… caught 28 passes for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023… as a junior, in 2022 caught 24 passes for 601 yards and 12 TDs… helped the Cavaliers go 11-1 and make the quarterfinals of Georgia’s AAA playoffs… was a two-way player as a sophomore in 2021… earned Region 3-A Private first-team honors as a tight end… caught 42 passes for 684 yards and nine touchdowns… helped Calvary Day post a 12-1 record while making the playoffs… also played basketball… was on the Calvary Day squad that won a regional title his sophomore season.
PERSONAL
Michael A. Smith was born Nov. 7, 2005… is a public relations major.
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