Gamecocks lose top option at wide receiver as NCAA transfer waiver denied
South Carolina football’s depth at wide receiver has taken another hit just a few days before the season opener against Tennessee.
Transfer Jalen Brooks, who was considered one of the Gamecocks’ standouts throughout preseason camp, has had his request for a waiver to be made immediately eligible denied by the NCAA, coach Will Muschamp announced Tuesday.
USC is appealing that decision, Muschamp said. When asked whether he was optimistic that the appeal would be successful, Muschamp declined any further comment.
Brooks, who came to Carolina after two seasons at Division II Wingate and a spring semester at FCS program Tarleton State, had been discussed as a potential starter for the Gamecocks. The speedy 6-foot-3, 190 pound product caught 35 passes for 751 yards and six touchdowns last season and garnered praise from Muschamp, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and his teammates throughout the summer.
“It would definitely help (having Brooks available),” senior receiver Shi Smith said Tuesday, before Muschamp announced the NCAA’s decision. “I mean, he’s a guy, he can go out there and make plays, he can beat one-on-ones, so I feel like with Jalen coming in, it’s a big help.”
Conversely, Brooks’s absence deals a blow to a position group that doesn’t have many proven options to step up in the absence of last year’s top receiver, Bryan Edwards. Smith was the No. 2 option in 2019 and is the clear-cut favorite to lead the Gamecock receiving room. After that, however, things get far less certain.
Sophomore Xavier Legette, who had just nine receptions last season, is likely to start. Behind him, freshmen Rico Powers and Ger-Cari Caldwell and converted quarterbacks Dakereon Joyner and Luke Doty were all listed on the two-deep depth chart.
Former four-star recruit Josh Vann could figure into the mix as well, but he’s struggled to stand out through his first two seasons and preseason camp. Other veteran options like Randrecous Davis and OrTre Smith have opted out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns.
There’s still the possibility that Brooks’s appeal could be successful and he will be able to take the field later this season. In the meantime, however, he’s stuck in limbo waiting for a decision with no clear deadline. Last year, tight end Nick Muse was in a similar spot, not getting any response on his waiver request until after Week 1.
On Tuesday, Muse said he’s been able to offer Brooks some support and understanding given the similarities between their situations.
“He’s my roommate, so he lives two and a half feet from me,” Muse said. “It’s a good deal, because I’ve talked to him a couple of times. … I’ve talked to him about it and I said, ‘Just keep being ready.’ Because the worst that can happen is he is available to play and he’s not ready.”
And should the appeal be denied and Brooks be forced to sit out this season, Muse has some advice for that too.
“I’m just going to tell him to keep his head up, because he’s going to have a couple of more years here anyway,” Muse said.
This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 12:51 PM.
