Gamecocks defensive lineman is at his fifth school in 5 years

Tomiwa Durojaiye, pictured at Florida State, made South Carolina his fifth college in five years. Florida State Athletics/Provided COLUMBIA — It’s easy to point to him as a face of the new age of college football, and not in a complimentary way. South Carolina defensive lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye is at his fifth school in five years, and if that doesn’t display the modern attitude of, “The grass is always greener on the other side” or chasing a paycheck, then what does? Durojaiye knows what it looks like. And accepts it. But a moment of your time … “I really don’t hide from it. It’s my story. It’s different. I’m not really ashamed of that. When it’s time for it, I let people know,” he said. “I go through each transfer. I explain each transfer. I don’t think I ever did anything for negative reasons.” The passport stamps: From Philadelphia and having prepped in Delaware, Durojaiye committed to Kentucky and played in three non-conference games in 2022. In search of more playing time, he transferred to West Virginia and played in all 13 games in 2023. Then, he said, he went for the money. A “significant NIL payday” got him to Florida State for 2024, but he could barely get on the field during a miserable 2-10 season. He bolted for a better chance to show what he could do, and Illinois beckoned. Durojaiye settled in with the Fighting Illini, starting eight of 11 games and earning honorable mention Big Ten accolades after 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. That looked like a place to put down roots, but several factors crept into play: A change in defensive alignment, and his position coach and defensive coordinators each left for other jobs. “South Carolina was my second choice out of high school. And it felt right being here,” Durojaiye said. Desiring a place where he could win — and perhaps enough to get to the College Football Playoff — and burnish his resume for the next level, Durojaiye chose the Gamecocks. Yes, it’s easy to look at his string of forwarding addresses and bemoan the state of the game. But outside of going to Tallahassee, he always had solid reasons. “Plain and simple, leaving Florida State, I didn’t play. If you want to play at the next level, you’ve got to have a tape,” he said. “Going to Illinois, I loved my time there. But going into this decision, there was just some stuff that I wanted to put on tape that, honestly, that I personally feel like I probably couldn’t show that there.” He’s here, standing 6-foot-4 and 291 pounds, bidding for a starting role on the Gamecocks’ D-line and knowing there will be no more stops after this one, at least, not in college. “He’s a guy that’s been around for a minute and been at multiple schools, and is now stronger than he’s ever been as a college football player," USC coach Shane Beamer said. The workouts are fueling him, as are the people. Everyone from strength coach Luke Day to Ms. Anita, who works at the cafeteria in the ops building and cheerfully dishes out plates and hugs. “You see her, you have no choice but to smile,” he said. “I knew there would be questions about me transferring, so I knew coming in I had to go somewhere where I want to make sure I leave a positive impact on the people and the people have a positive impact on me. And it kind of just felt right. “I attack the workouts, I attack spring ball each and every day. I attacked summer workouts, I’m attacking fall camp. Not really thinking about the season, not really thinking about the future, just living in the moment. And I feel like that’s been what’s good for me.” If it took him a while to find home, at least he found it.