They haven’t taken conventional paths, but these receivers could make an impact for USC
Back and forth, and forth and back.
South Carolina wide receiver Jalen Brooks has made the drive, by himself, from Texas to the Carolinas five times in 2020, driving 14 to 16 hours at a time. Just this year, he transferred from Wingate to Tarleton State to USC.
He’s not the only receiver who has bounced around. Though he hasn’t logged the same kind of mileage, redshirt sophomore Dakereon Joyner has also moved back and forth — from quarterback to receiver. Then to quarterback again. Then to receiver again. All in the last 365 days.
With the season opener against Tennessee just under two weeks away, both Brooks and Joyner are searching for a more permanent home in South Carolina’s new-look receiving corps. Bryan Edwards and Deebo Samuel are off in the NFL, leaving Shi Smith as the lone veteran wideout on the roster.
There’s plenty of opportunity for the taking.
“I know we have a group full of great guys,” Joyner said Monday. “We got 8-9 guys that can play. I don’t think the game is dedicated to one guy. Shi is obviously our leader, the vet in the room. I think the coaches let everybody know that. But a lot of young guys are making plays.”
Coaches and teammates alike have talked up Brooks’ and Joyner’s speed and quick-twitch athleticism, with some saying Brooks could be just as fast as, if not faster than, Smith. And speed looms large in new coordinator Mike Bobo’s offense, which emphasizes getting the ball in the hands of playmakers.
However, questions abound for both players, with the most significant being: Will Brooks even be eligible to play this year?
South Carolina has yet to hear back from the NCAA on a transfer waiver to allow Brooks to play in 2020. There’s no telling what that decision might be or when it may come, especially given the strange circumstances surrounding college football during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But all indications are that Brooks could play a sizable role this season if he is ruled eligible. Despite his topsy-turvy last few months, he’s adjusted quickly to the Division I level and to yet another new offense.
“I’ve been in three offenses within two years, so it’s been a challenging task,” Brooks said. “This offense has been the most complex (I’ve played in). But it’s a pro-style offense, and I love it. And coach Bobo has been doing such a great job of just getting us prepared for that and given us so many different looks to bring to defenses, so I’m loving it.”
Brooks appears further along than Joyner, which is understandable considering that Joyner is a lifelong quarterback who just started learning receiver last season. After splitting time between the quarterback and receiver rooms in 2019, Joyner has been able to focus exclusively on receiver this offseason, giving him some added confidence, he said.
Both Bobo and Joyner himself acknowledge that he still has work to do in learning the intricacies of playing receiver, like route-running, reading coverages and the differences between playing inside and on the outside. Some nagging injuries at the beginning of camp didn’t help with that transition, although Joyner said Monday that he’s healthy and ready to play.
“I think these 16-17 practices we’ve had, I think they’ve helped me slow down my game a lot,” Joyner said. “I’ve kind of focused on the finer things at the receiver position. I’m grateful for all my coaches being patient with me, helping me, and even my teammates. I’m trying to continue to progress, continue to do what I do best and just get ready for Tennessee.”
Patience has been key for both Brooks and Joyner as they’ve each navigated their own tumultuous journeys. Thankfully for both players, there’s no more going back and forth.
Now, it’s time to find some staying power.
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 5:21 AM.
