2 transfers among key reasons South Carolina receiver room is bubbling with optimism
It’s no secret the South Carolina football program hit the transfer portal hard this offseason. One position group that should benefit is receiver.
The Gamecocks picked up two FCS transfers in James Madison’s Antwane “Juice” Wells and Arkansas State’s Corey Rucker, who will give new quarterback Spencer Rattler two proven options to go along with leading returning receiver Josh Vann.
Wells and Rucker are two of nine players added in the transfer portal in the offseason, with seven coming on offense. Those additions are one of the reasons why CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah rated South Carolina No. 5 nationally among teams that improved their rosters through the transfer portal this offseason.
“We couldn’t be more excited about those two being in our room. They have been a great addition to the room as far as just people. They get along with the guys really well and mesh really well,” USC receivers coach Justin Stepp said Thursday after the Birdies with Beamer golf tournament. “That is one thing you worry about when you bring in new guys is how the rest of the group is going to receive them. But they get in the room working, being quiet and showing up for work.”
Outside of Vann, no returning USC receiver had more than 221 receiving yards last year. Jahiem Bell, at tight end and coming out of the backfield, was the second leading pass-catcher.
Wells arrived on campus in the winter and drew high praise from coach Shane Beamer after the spring game for his confidence and the work ethic he brought to the team.
USC offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield compared Wells to Robby Anderson, who played for him at Temple and when Satterfield was with the Carolina Panthers.
Wells set single-season school records in catches, yards receiving and touchdowns during the 2021 season at James Madison. His career numbers — 1,853 yards, 119 receptions and 21 touchdowns — rank in the top 10 at the school in all three categories.
Rucker, who didn’t arrive at USC until the summer, spent two seasons at Arkansas State and caught 59 passes for 826 yards last season. He also had a career-high 310 yards against Louisiana-Monroe as a freshman.
Rucker was named to the Biletnikoff Preseason Watch list. The award is given to the top receiver in the country.
“It helped having Juice here in the spring, ‘‘ Stepp said. “Corey is incredibly smart, and picks up things well. Both are key additions and we are going to need them to really play well. It is a grueling season in this league, and one thing you have to have is depth. They definitely give us that.”
South Carolina’s scholarship receivers
Freshmen
x-O’Mega Blake (6-2, 190)
Kylic Horton (6-4, 205)
Landon Samson (6-0, 195)
Juniors
y-Corey Rucker (6-1, 212)
y-Antwane Wells Jr. (6-1, 207)
Seniors
z-Jalen Brooks (6-2, 205)
z-Josh Vann (5-11, 192)
Dakereon Joyner (6-1, 215)
Ahmarean Brown (5-9, 167)
Xavier Legette (6-3, 220)
x-denotes redshirt freshman
y-denotes transfer
z-denotes super senior
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
