This Gamecock WR signee has ‘a lot of Juice Wells qualities in him’
South Carolina football found success with under-recruited receiver this season in Antwane “Juice” Wells.
The Gamecocks are hoping for the same fortune with Bishop McDevitt (Pa.)’s Tyshawn Russell, who officially joined South Carolina on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday. He announced his commitment to the Gamecocks on Sunday.
“He’s got a lot of Juice Wells qualities in him. Juice has got a lot of dog in him, and Tyshawn is the same way,” USC coach Shane Beamer told reporters Wednesday.
Beamer said the 6-foot-3, 188-pound Russell stayed with Wells during his recruiting visit to USC. Wells wasn’t highly recruited coming out of high school in Virginia, went to Fork Union Military then shined at James Madison before transferring to USC ahead of the 2022 season. He led the Gamecocks with 63 catches for 898 yards and six touchdowns this year.
The Gamecocks were the first of Russell’s Power Five offers, with the other being Virginia Tech. He visited both places as well as Central Michigan and Maine.
A few factors might have contributed to Russell’s lack of offers, Beamer said. One was that he played defense mostly until his senior year and also was overshadowed by teammate Rico Scott, a four-star prospect in the Class of 2024.
But Russell shined this year and led the team with 61 catches for 1,334 yards and 22 touchdowns. He had four catches, all for TDs, for 122 yards in a state championship victory over Aliquippa on Dec. 8 with USC receivers coach Justin Stepp on hand.
Russell is also a talented basketball player and averaged 12.4 points a game last season.
“He was a late guy coming to the receiver position,” Beamer said. “He is just a really good football player and grateful for the opportunity he has here.”
