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Former Alabama linebacker Justin Okoronkwo transferring to South Carolina
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Former Alabama linebacker Justin Okoronkwo is transferring to South Carolina.
On Friday, Okoronkwo announced he was staying in the SEC. After spending 1 season at Alabama, the former 3-star recruit is moving to South Carolina. The Gamecocks officially announced his signing shortly after Okoronkwo made his decision public.
A 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker, Okoronkwo initially committed to Nick Saban before Kalen DeBoer took charge of the program. He was ranked by the 247 Composite as the No. 1 recruit from Germany in the 2024 class and the No. 47 linebacker.
Despite the coaching change, Okoronkwo stuck with the Tide and earned himself immediate playing time under DeBoer as a special teams performer and a reserve linebacker.
In his freshman season, Okoronkwo tallied 14 tackles while making appearances in all 13 games.
He’ll join the Gamecocks with 4 years to play 3. And he’ll have the chance to once again earn immediate playing time. The Gamecocks are looking to replace both of their 2024 starters at linebacker — Debo Williams and Demetrius Knight. Bam Martin-Scott might also need replacing, depending on the results of his appeal for another season of eligibility.
If his appeal is denied, Okoronkwo will be competing with rising freshman Fred Johnson and Florida State transfer Shawn Murphy for a starting spot in the middle of the Gamecocks’ defense. USC also signed a pair of linebackers in the 2025 high school class — Havelock (N.C.) High’s Donovan Darden and Buford (Ga.) High’s AJ Holloway.
Alabama is set at linebacker going into 2025, with both Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson returning, as well as Nikhai Hill-Green transferring in from Colorado.
Okoronkwo will get the chance to face his former team on Oct. 25 when the Crimson Tide travel to Williams-Brice Stadium.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
