South Carolina’s offensive line coach, Lonnie Teasley, is focusing on seasoned players from the NCAA transfer portal to fill key positions, rather than relying solely on young high school recruits. This strategy continues with the recent addition of Western Kentucky transfer guard Rodney Newsom, announced Tuesday night following his official visit over the weekend.
Newsom (6-foot-3, 303 pounds) started his football journey at Memphis, redshirting in 2021 and sitting out the 2022 season. He then transferred to Itawamba Junior College in Mississippi for the 2023 season before playing 14 games at Western Kentucky, where he started the final 11 games, including the Boca Raton Bowl. As a redshirt sophomore, Newsom has two years of eligibility left.
With this signing, Newsom becomes the fourth offensive lineman in South Carolina’s 2025 class, which now boasts 32 newcomers. This move follows the addition of Wake Forest transfer guard Nick Sharpe, further solidifying the Gamecocks’ offensive line.
