COLUMBIA – The writing had been on the wall earlier than spring apply started and Monday, E.J. Jenkins put an finish to the hypothesis relating to his future.

South Carolina’s large tight finish introduced his intention to enter his title within the switch portal through his Twitter web page.

Jenkins, who transferred to South Carolina from St. Francis (FCS) previous to the 2021 season, thanked Gamecock coach Shane Beamer for the chance in his assertion.

“I’m really blessed to fulfill new those that I can name household in my time at South Carolina,” Jenkins wrote. “Lastly, thanks Gamecock Nation for giving me the expertise I might have dreamed of as a child. There’ll at all times be love right here.

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“That being stated, I will likely be getting into the switch portal. Thanks, South Carolina. 13 out.”

Jenkins will graduate from USC subsequent month, will likely be a grad switch and may have one yr of quick eligibility remaining.

His exit follows by just a few months his childhood pal Jason Brown, who performed at St. Francis as properly, transferred to South Carolina final yr and left for Virginia Tech in December.

Early on, Jenkins struggled to catch on with Marcus Satterfield’s offense and the leap from FCS to FBS ball. Issues kind of clicked for him round midseason, when he had three catches and his lone landing as a Gamecocks throughout a two-game stretch, however Jenkins couldn’t maintain that play.

He completed with simply eight receptions for 117 yards in 2021.

Jenkins is the primary USC participant to determine to enter the switch portal because the group wrapped up spring apply Saturday with the Garnet & Black Recreation however he will not be the final. At the moment, the group is a handful of gamers over the 2022 scholarship restrict plus some guys will seemingly be in seek for extra enjoying time at their place some place else.

Depth at tight finish was a priority for the Gamecocks throughout spring apply as Jaheim Bell and Jenkins sat out with harm whereas Oklahoma switch Austin Stogner hasn’t gotten to campus but. Offensive lineman Wyatt Campbell labored at tight finish throughout spring and now has expertise on the place, if wanted. 

However the lack of Jenkins seemingly will not have an effect on South Carolina an excessive amount of. With Bell again, Stogner coming in and Traevon Kenion having a strong spring, there’s loads of expertise within the room.

Cory Diaz covers the South Carolina Gamecocks for The Greenville Information as a part of the USA TODAY Community. Observe his work for all issues Gamecocks on Twitter: @CoryDiaz_TGN. Obtained questions relating to South Carolina athletics? Ship them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.