Kentucky transfer Quay'Sheed Scott is headed to South Carolina

Transfer portal movement is a two-way street. Will Stein‘s first staff is working long hours right now to build a roster in college football free agency. Meanwhile, players that have left the Kentucky program are looking for new college football homes. A defensive starter is staying in the SEC.

Quay’Sheed Scott is going home. The defensive back will play for South Carolina and Shane Beamer in 2026.

BREAKING: Kentucky transfer DB Quay’Sheed Scott has signed with South Carolina, @PeteNakos reports🤙https://t.co/kSYG7dYADj pic.twitter.com/WFhbLUc5UW

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 8, 2026

Quay’Sheed Scott was a three-star recruit in the 2024 high school recruiting cycle who initially picked Kentucky over a handful of Group of Six programs after a strong camp performance in June. South Carolina tried to flip the defensive back late in the recruiting process. Kentucky ultimately ended up winning out and secured a signature.

After playing 51 snaps as a true freshman, Quay’Sheed Scott became Kentucky’s starting nickel in 2025. The defensive back finished the season with 39 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception in 488 snaps. It was a nice debut season as a starter.

Now the former Kentucky defensive back will look to become a starter at another SEC program.

Kentucky transfer tracker

So far, we know of 19 Kentucky football players who will be looking for a new place to play college football this offseason. The portal window officially closes Jan. 16.

• LB Landyn Watson (Committed to Kansas on Jan. 4)
• EDGE Steven Soles Jr. (Committed to Arkansas on Jan. 7)
• QB Stone Saunders (Committed to San Diego State on Jan. 6)
• WR David Washington Jr.
• WR Preston Bowman (Committed to Ohio on Jan. 7))
• DT Austin Ramsey (Committed to Kansas State on Jan. 6)
• WR Troy Stellato
• EDGE Javeon Campbell
• CB DJ Waller Jr. (Committed to Louisville on Jan. 3)
• EDGE Jacob Smith (Committed to Louisville on Jan. 6)
• DL Jerod Smith II (Committed to Louisville on Jan. 6)
• QB Cutter Boley (Committed to Arizona State on Jan. 3)
• WR Montavin Quisenberry (Committed to Louisville on Jan. 8)
• RB Dante Dowdell
• S Cam Dooley (Committed to Florida on Jan. 7)
• DB Quay’Sheed Scott (Committed to South Carolina on Jan. 8)
• RB Jamarion Wilcox
• WR Cameron Miller
• WR Hardley Gilmore (Committed to Louisville on Jan. 8)