In less than three full days since South Carolina relieved Will Muschamp of his duties, four Gamecocks have already left the team.
Those players include both starting cornerbacks -- Israel Mukuamu and Jaycee Horn -- plus safety/linebacker RJ Roderick and defensive tackle Makius Scott.
Neither Roderick nor Scott were listed on South Carolina's two-deep for last Saturday's Ole Miss game, but Roderick's 23 tackles rank sixth on the team.
Obviously, losing four defensive players and both starting corners is not going to improve a defense that has allowed 53 points per game amid South Carolina's ongoing 3-game losing streak. Losing any player, let alone four, is a crushing blow to South Carolina's defensive depth in a year where depth is a luxury amid the ongoing threat of protocol-mandated quarantines in addition to the usual wear and tear of a football season.
Moving forward, the opt-outs could have a chilling effect on any other programs thinking of making in-season coaching changes.
South Carolina has three games left in its regular season, beginning Saturday with Missouri.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.