South Carolina has officially confirmed the departure of veteran defensive back Myles Norwood, marking another significant change in the Gamecocks’ secondary ahead of the upcoming season.
Norwood, who joined South Carolina last year as a transfer from Ball State, will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on January 2. His exit comes after one season in Columbia and adds to a growing list of roster turnover for the Gamecocks, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
During the 2025 season, Norwood appeared in 10 games and earned two starts, playing a total of 242 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished the year with 19 total tackles and was frequently used in coverage situations. While his overall coverage performance graded at 45, the lowest among South Carolina defenders regularly dropping into coverage, Norwood showed reliability against the run. His 72 run-defense grade ranked ninth among all Gamecock defenders, highlighting his physicality and willingness to support the run game.
In coverage, opposing quarterbacks targeted Norwood 21 times, completing 15 passes for 171 yards. Notably, he did not allow a touchdown throughout the season, though he also did not record a pass breakup. His tackling grade of 55 ranked lowest among South Carolina cornerbacks.
Norwood becomes the 10th scholarship player from South Carolina to enter the transfer portal this cycle and the first defensive back to do so. His departure further impacts a secondary that is already set to lose experienced veterans Jalon Kilgore, DQ Smith, and Brandon Cisse, all of whom are moving on to the NFL Draft.
With Norwood gone, the Gamecocks will lean on Vicari Swain, Peyton Williams, and Judge Collier as the most experienced returning players in the secondary for the 2026 season, while the coaching staff looks to the transfer portal and recruiting ranks to replenish depth and experience in the defensive backfield.
