WR Terry Googer models his game after Jeffery and Rice

The “other guys” in South Carolina’s receiving corps are not buying into the thought process that there is Deebo Samuel and then there is everyone else.

“We have playmakers,” USC sophomore Terry Googer said. “We’re ready for the season to start so we can prove a lot of people wrong.”

Googer is one of several Gamecocks that will get an opportunity this fall to show that they have what it takes to make plays in the SEC.

The 6-4, 220-pounder has similar size to former USC greats Alshon Jeffery and Sidney Rice and models his game after the two.

Googer doesn’t have breakaway speed, but is fast enough to get behind the defense.

“I feel like my size and ability to go up and get the ball and blocking on the edge are my strengths. People don’t look at it that much but blocking on the edge is a big thing now with the spread offenses,” Googer said. “During practice I’ve proven that I can get behind a defense, but catching the ball is my biggest strength right now.”

The Georgia native didn’t get as many opportunities as he would have liked in 2015 but did gain valuable experience he believes will pay dividends this year.

Googer played in 11 of 12 games, catching five passes for 74 yards.

“It helps a lot getting the in-game experience playing in big games so you won’t be as nervous going out on the field,” Googer said. “You know the actual game speed. You know the preparation you need to do for a game and how your mindset needs to be.”

He was hindered by an ankle injury that caused him to miss the second half of spring practice. Despite the injury, Googer said he improved as a football player this offseason and added he is now healthy.

“I focused more on route running, slimming down trying to get my speed up and using my size to my advantage,” Googer said. “It was just a high ankle sprain. I’m 100 percent now.”

Googer enjoys playing under new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and said he has a good feel for what the offense is trying to do and where he fits.

“The offense is built around getting everyone the ball in open spaces, which is going to wreck havoc for other teams because the playmakers we have at receiver are incredible and we have lots of depth at receiver,” he said.

USC coach Will Muschamp is anxious to see how his young, unproven wide receivers perform when thrown into the spotlight on game day.

“We need whether it's Terry or anyone else to step up at the position,” Muschamp said. “He needs to stay healthy, but having Terry step up or Jamari (Smith) or whoever it is at that position, we need more help, that's for sure.”

This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 12:23 PM.