The South Carolina Gamecocks have suffered another roster departure, with linebacker and edge rusher Taeshawn Alston moving on from the program after just one season in Columbia. Alston announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal on December 24, 2025, ending his brief stint with Shane Beamer’s team.
His decision added to a growing list of departures during a significant offseason roster overhaul for the Gamecocks. Although Alston had yet to establish himself as a regular contributor, his exit represents another defensive personnel change for a program looking to strengthen its depth and build a more competitive roster.
The young defender will now have an opportunity to continue his development elsewhere rather than remain in a crowded South Carolina defensive rotation.
Alston arrived at South Carolina as part of the 2025 recruiting class after emerging as a promising defensive prospect at Vance County High School in Henderson, North Carolina. He was rated a three-star recruit and attracted interest from several programs before choosing the Gamecocks over schools including Colorado, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and North Carolina.
Standing approximately 6-foot-3 and weighing around 245 pounds, he possessed the physical profile to contribute both as an outside linebacker and an edge rusher. During his senior high school season, Alston recorded 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. Those numbers demonstrated his potential as a disruptive defensive presence, making him an intriguing addition to South Carolina’s recruiting class.
However, Alston’s first season in Columbia did not provide the playing opportunities he might have hoped for. He enrolled early in January 2025, giving him the opportunity to participate in spring practices and become familiar with the Gamecocks’ defensive system. Despite going through the adjustment period and working to earn a place in the rotation, he primarily contributed on the scout team and did not appear in any games during his freshman campaign.
He ultimately used a redshirt season, preserving four years of eligibility for the next stage of his college career. With limited opportunities to showcase his abilities on the field, entering the transfer portal presented a chance to find a program where he could compete for a more meaningful defensive role.
His subsequent move to North Carolina Central gives him an opportunity to continue developing, and he has already appeared in seven games there during the 2026 season, recording nine tackles and 2.5 sacks.
For South Carolina, Alston’s departure was another piece of a much larger roster transition as Beamer and his coaching staff worked to reshape the team following a disappointing 2025 campaign.
The Gamecocks finished 4-8 overall and 1-7 in SEC play, creating pressure to improve personnel across multiple position groups. The defensive staff needed to evaluate its available options, identify areas requiring additional depth and bring in players capable of making an immediate impact.
While Alston’s exit was not the loss of an established starter, losing a young developmental defender meant another available roster spot would need to be addressed.
South Carolina has since continued rebuilding through recruiting and the transfer portal, hoping its incoming additions can help improve the team’s overall competitiveness. For Alston, the move represents a fresh beginning, while the Gamecocks must continue looking ahead without another member of their original 2025 recruiting class.
