Kansas football lands South Carolina transfer linebacker Bangally Kamara

The Kansas Jayhawks football team landed a transfer-portal commitment from former South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Bangally Kamara.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel was first to report the news Monday. Kamara’s agent, Darren Wilson, confirmed his client’s KU commitment to The Star shortly after.

Kamara will have one year of eligibility remaining.

The Akron, Ohio, native played four seasons for Pittsburgh before transferring to South Carolina for the 2024 season. He played in four games, recording nine tackles in 70 snaps before deciding to take a redshirt.

Kamara’s best year collegiately came in 2023 at Pitt. He led the Panthers with 55 tackles, including 6.5 for loss. He also had two sacks and one fumble recovery while playing in 10 games.

As for why he picked Kansas?

“They (Kansas) came in hot,” said Wilson, the agent. “They knew they wanted him. They valued him on the NIL side. They valued his role as a top guy on defense. They hit every data point that BK wanted.”

According to Wilson, Kamara visited Lawrence alone.

“He loved that Lawrence was a college town and it’s somewhere he can grow, develop and focus on ball,” Wilson said.

The Jayhawks’ addition of Bangally is significant. After this season, linebackers JB Brown, Cornell Wheeler, and Taiwan Berryhill will be out of eligibility. KU’s list of returning players for 2025 would include Tristian Fletcher and Jayson Gilliom.

Heavily recruited in high school, Bangally — a four-star recruit — picked Pitt over Penn State, Indiana, Buffalo and other programs.