Breaking down possible first-year impact for Gamecocks transfer Jalen Brooks
South Carolina football added an intriguing talent in Jalen Brooks, who is transferring up from Wingate University after two strong years at a lower level.
So now the question becomes: When will he have an impact?
The Harrisburg, North Carolina product has already said he plans to put in a waiver to play in 2020. Whether that’s approved or not changes certain dynamics on and around South Carolina’s offense.
And it’s worth looking through all three scenarios:
1. Brooks gets eligible immediately and fills what looks like a big need: This situation would be similar to Nick Muse’s 2019 season. The William & Mary tight end transferred up, had to wait past the first game and ultimately was the team’s No. 3 tight end when healthy.
Whether Brooks can be the No. 2 or better at his position remains to be seen. But the Gamecocks’ don’t have much in the way of proven receivers outside senior Shi Smith. Dakereon Joyner looks like the presumptive starter in the slot, with scant experience at receiver. Unless OrTre Smith can return to his pre-injury form or Josh Vann can turn flashes into consistent production, the team will be relying on someone with relatively little experience.
And there, a 6-foot-3 player with sub-4.5 speed and a history of college production could help, even if Brooks has to learn the offense on the fly. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has been known to do some creative stuff with speedy receivers in the run game. It’s possible Brooks could do that, or free up Shi Smith to slide into that role.
2. Brooks has to wait: These waivers are no guarantee in a byzantine NCAA system. The Muse appeal didn’t come down until after the season started. The reasons they’re granted or not are often opaque. Brooks could well have to sit out the season.
That leaves the Gamecocks in a familiar tight spot at wide receiver in 2020, but could be a boost down the line. Shi Smith is set to depart, as is Randrecous Davis. Having a player such as Brooks to step in for what could be a crucial season for the staff would likely be a boost, especially if some other receivers get more seasoning in 2021.
It would also mean he could help the 2022 team, a situation where the benefits come down the line.
3. The opportunity is taken out of everyone’s hands: The chances there’s a football season this year are already tenuous. If there is in fact no season because of the coronavirus, it’s not yet clear exactly how teams would deal with holdover players — if, for example, seniors would get a chance to redshirt, how things would function with incoming recruiting classes and the like.
In that case, Brooks gets his two seasons on campus starting in 2021. It’s entirely unclear if a player such as Shi Smith would be back, but Brooks would have the chance to get in tune with the new offense.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 2:15 PM.
