In-state receiver had 1,000 yards, 16 TDs as a senior. He’ll walk on with Gamecocks
Payton Mangrum has been one of the more productive receivers in the state during his career at Eastside High School.
On Saturday, Mangrum accepted a preferred walk-on offer from South Carolina.
“My family and I are life long South Carolina fans and it’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Mangrum said. “Both mom and dad graduated from USC so once I applied and got accepted it was a big deal to us. Then to be offered the preferred walk-on spot just made everything better.”
Mangrum said Deebo Samuel, Ace Sanders and DJ Swearinger were some of his favorite Gamecock players.
Mangrum was a three-year starter at Eastside and went over 1,000 yards in two of the three years. This season, he caught 55 passes for 1,015 yards and 16 touchdowns.
For his career, Mangrum had 209 catches for 3,247 yards and 43 touchdowns.
The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Mangrum also had interest from Western Carolina, Austin Peay State, and Charleston Southern. 247Sports ranks Mangrum as a two-star prospect and he is No. 86 in the state.
