South Carolina transfer portal defection follows old coach out west

South Carolina football transfer portal departure Nick Elksnis has found a new home. Following his entrance into the portal earlier this month, the big tight end made a Wednesday commitment to the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. He announced the news on social media.

The move out west to Las Vegas reunites Elksnis with his former Florida head coach Dan Mullen. UNLV hired Mullen last week, and the fit made sense for Elksnis. Before arriving in Columbia, the 6’6″ pass-catcher spent two years with the Gators and Mullen. Because of a first-year redshirt back in 2021, he will be a redshirt senior for the Runnin’ Rebels.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

• South Carolina transfer portal headquarters
• Portal target watchlist
• Portal tracker (Commits and Exits)
• On3 National Portal Tracker 
• Get portal news notifications with the App

Elksnis was not the only tight end to leave the Gamecock football program via the transfer portal this offseason. A pair of second-year players, sophomore Connor Cox and redshirt freshman Reid Mikeska, also hit the portal. As of now, neither tight end has made a commitment to another school. Starter Josh Simon is graduating and could be off to the NFL.

This offseason, though, USC has added two new tight ends to the program to help restock the position alongside returners Brady Hunt, Michael Smith, and Maurice Brown. Transfer portal tight end Jordan Dingle joined the fold with a Wednesday commitment, and class of 2025 tight end Mike Tyler flipped his pledge from LSU on National Signing Day.

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