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South Carolina

Former South Carolina Gamecocks to compete for National Championship

by: Kevin Miller01/20/25kevinbmiller52
south-carolina-football-kicker-mitch-jeter-entering-transfer-portal
Former South Carolina kicker Mitch Jeter. (Photo: Chris Gillespie | GamecockCentral.com)

In the age of the transfer portal, it feels like most major programs can look at most other teams and see a former player or two from their roster. With College Football Playoff National Championship Game happening on Monday night, two former South Carolina Gamecocks will compete against each other with the title on the line.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

Most South Carolina football fans know that kicker Mitch Jeter transferred to Notre Dame this offseason. The North Carolina native has spent his final year of college eligibility battling an injury but delivered the game-winning kick that sent the Fighting Irish to the National Championship. Jeter has hit 13 of his 20 field goals this season and hasn’t missed an extra point. The USC record-holder for career field goal percentage (23-for-25, 92%), Jeter’s two misses with the Gamecocks both came from further than 50 yards. He announced his transfer last winter.

Another Gamecock, defensive back Keenan Nelson, Jr. waiting until after spring practice to transfer. When he left the program, Nelson landed with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The defensive back bounced around the USC secondary (mainly between nickel and safety) but made four starts at nickel over two seasons. During his time in garnet and black, he logged 13 tackles and one tackle for loss. He also deflected one pass and scored a touchdown on a blocked punt. With the Buckeyes, Nelson hasn’t logged any statistics but has appeared in 11 games. He’s played primarily in garbage time and on special teams.

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Jeter and Nelson will take the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. ESPN will broadcast the contest, while the ESPN app will make it available for streaming.

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