Former UNC kicker transfers to South Carolina

Kicker Jay Wooten, who left UNC earlier this summer, has decided to transfer to South Carolina.

Wooten said in a phone interview on Tuesday that he would join the Gamecocks on Aug. 20 as a walk-on. Under NCAA transfer rules, he has sit out the 2009 season and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Wooten began the '08 season handling all of UNC's kicking dutings -- kickoffs, field goals and extra points -- and made 4-of-6 field-goal attempts and all 11 PATs. He was replaced on field goals and PATs after the fourth game by Casey Barth.

"I know where I stood at North Carolina," said Wooten, who was considered one of the best kicking prospects in the country when he entered UNC out of Scotland County. "I know I wanted to do more than that."

South Carolina has three kickers trying replace departed veteran Ryan Succop, the seventh-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Wooten said he hopes to win the starting job in '10.

"Wherever you go, there's competition," Wooten said. "I know I'm starting over at South Carolina." -- J.P. Giglio