South Carolina cornerback , one of the Gamecocks’ top defensive recruits, has decided to remain with the program after earlier reports suggested he was planning to enter the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound defensive back from Georgia had been a four-star prospect and ranked No. 7 nationally at the cornerback position by 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. He committed to South Carolina in October 2023, becoming one of coach Shane Beamer’s most significant recruiting victories.
Jalewis Solomon
Solomon enrolled in the summer of 2024 but saw limited action in his first year, taking a redshirt season to preserve eligibility. Last season, injuries to other players opened opportunities, and Solomon appeared in four games, recording two tackles.
Initial reports from On3 suggested Solomon would explore the transfer portal, but that post has since been deleted. Gamecock Central confirmed that Solomon plans to stay in Columbia, returning as a redshirt sophomore for the 2026 season.
Solomon’s decision provides a boost for South Carolina’s secondary, which has experienced turnover in recent months. Among scholarship departures in the transfer portal are DB Myles Norwood, linebackers Jaron Willis and Taeshawn Alston, and several offensive linemen and skill-position players.
For South Carolina, keeping a talented young cornerback like Solomon helps stabilize the defensive backfield and maintains continuity in Coach Beamer’s recruiting and development pipeline.
With his combination of size, athleticism, and experience—even with limited game action—Solomon is expected to compete for meaningful playing time and could emerge as a cornerstone in the Gamecocks’ defense for 2026.
