WR Jalen Brooks not on South Carolina roster after months-long absence
South Carolina has seen another receiver depart the program, at least on paper.
Senior Jalen Brooks is no longer listed on the official team roster as of Tuesday according to USC’s website. Brooks had been away from the team since the Tennessee on Oct. 9.
“I spoke with Jalen last week and he’s been in constant contact with me,” head coach Shane Beamer said on Tuesday. “But right now he’s not part of the program at this point.”
Asked if Brooks could theoretically return to the team at some point, Beamer declined to go into more details on the situation.
“I’m not going to get into all that,” Beamer said. “He’s not with us right now. We’ll see what the future holds.”
Brooks began his career at Wingate before a brief spell at Tarleton State. Brooks was limited to just six games last season as he waited on an eligibility decision from the NCAA. He had caught 14 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown over six games this fall. He’ll likely finish his USC career with 25 catches for 281 yards in 12 appearances over two years.
Since Brooks stepped away from the team, Xavier Legette had taken over his starting spot. Legette caught the game-winning touchdown against Vanderbilt on Oct. 16. He recorded five catches for 33 yards this season.
South Carolina ranks 13th in the Southeastern Conference in passing offense and only went over 250 yards passing twice in its 13 games during the 2022 season.
USC notched its most prolific offensive days of the year in wins over Florida and North Carolina. The Gamecocks racked up 459 yards — including 284 yards rushing against the Gators. Third-string quarterback Jason Brown completed 14 of 24 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns in place of Zeb Noland, who underwent surgery to address a torn meniscus during the bye week.
Quarterback-turned-wide receiver Dakereon Joyner helmed the offense during the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30, guiding South Carolina to a 38-21 throttling of North Carolina in Charlotte. The Gamecocks finished with a season-high 543 yards in the contest.
South Carolina added prolific James Madison receiver Antwane Wells Jr. over the offseason. Wells, along with returners Josh Vann, Legette and Joyner, among others, should now anchor the passing attack in 2022.
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 9:03 AM.
