After South Carolina’s football team concluded its 2025 season with a 4-8 record, head coach Shane Beamer and his staff directed their attention toward recruitment for 2026. One area of focus that the Gamecocks looked to improve on was the offensive line.
South Carolina allowed 3.58 sacks a game in 2025, ranking the sixth worst in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Former offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley was fired midway through the season as a result.
The lack of production from the offensive line was one of the contributing factors that led South Carolina to a four-win season in 2025. Now, through the acquisition of new coaches and players, the Gamecocks have revamped their offensive line this offseason.
New staff
Shortly after the 2025 season concluded, offensive line coach Randy Clements was named to the position on the same day that Kendal Briles was signed as South Carolina’s offensive coordinator. The coaching duo each held their same respective roles for the TCU Horned Frogs last year.
Kendal Briles has known Clements since he was 12 years old, when Clements was hired under Kendal Briles' father, Art Briles, at Stephenville High School in Texas.
Kendal Briles discussed the importance of him and Clements' chemistry as they look to make an impact at their newest journey to Columbia.
“It helps so much to just be on the same page from an offensive line and coordinator standpoint,” Kendal Briles said. “It’s a tremendous way to elevate already where we are.”
Beamer had high praise for Clements during his introductory press conference.
“(He's) proven great leadership, great person, proven offensive line coach at the highest level,” Beamer said. “(He’s) done it in multiple conferences, done a great job of recruiting and developing players.”
Clements has been coaching offensive lines at the collegiate level for 23 years, with his most previous jobs coming at the University of North Carolina, North Texas and Ole Miss. Under Clements' mentorship, three North Carolina offensive linemen earned All-ACC honors in his first year with the Tar Heels in 2023.
Clements discussed his gratefulness and mindset about returning to coach in the SEC.
“It’s going to be a grind. It’s going to be a day-by-day process,” Clements said. “We’re going to work every day as hard as we can to make this program one of the most competitive in the toughest league in America. I can’t wait for the opportunity.”
Reloaded offensive line
The Gamecocks acquired eight offensive linemen since the transfer portal opened on Jan. 2, along with the additional signings of three incoming freshmen. In regards to the departures, South Carolina cleared the house, with nine offensive linemen finding new homes for next season.
Clements discussed how he plans on connecting with all of the new players joining South Carolina’s offensive lineman room.
“I want to come in here with a fresh mindset and give everybody a chance to prove themselves,” Clements said. “They all got to fit together and work together. It’ll be a grind.”
Sophomore offensive lineman Shedrick Sarratt Jr. and junior offensive lineman Josiah Thompson are the only two starting offensive linemen from last season that will return in 2026. Sarratt appeared in 10 games for the Gamecocks in 2025, while Thompson earned recognition on the All-SEC Freshman team in 2024.
Incoming redshirt senior Jacarrius Peak highlights the list of new offensive linemen entering the program in 2026. Peak has spent his entire collegiate career with the NC State Wolfpack, accumulating 32 starts and rating the ACC's second highest ranked pass blocker at his position. Peak was ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle to enter the transfer portal this year, according to 247 Sports.
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Emmanuel Poku is coming to Columbia after spending the past four years with the East Carolina Pirates. The 6-foot-5-inch, 326-pound offensive lineman was a former walk-on who collected two years of starting experience with American Athletic Conference honors.
Senior offensive lineman Dayne Arnett comes to South Carolina after spending his entire collegiate career playing at the Division II level for the Ferris State Bulldogs. During his time in Big Rapids, Michigan, Arnett was a two-year starter that earned three national championships.
Redshirt senior offensive linemen Seth Smith and Carter Miller will both make an appearance in the offensive line room after transferring from Northern Arizona and University of Central Florida, respectively. Miller began his career at James Madison University, where he played two years under recent national-championship-winning coach Curt Cignetti.
Additionally, other key offensive linemen transfers include 6-foot-7-inch redshirt senior Armando Nieves and junior Hank Purvis. Nieves and Purvis will both bring a veteran presence to South Carolina after collecting valuable years of experience at multiple programs. Nieves joins the team after starting 10 games at New Mexico State last season, while Purvis joins the squad after most recently transferring from the Purdue Boilermakers.
Among the freshman commits that are entering the program, five-star Darius Gray, four-star Zyon Guiles and three-star Anthony Baxter look to provide an impact on the offensive line. Gray is ranked as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class.