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USC’s ‘largely unknown’ receiver group doesn’t have a WR1 yet. That might not be the goal

payton titus
·4 min read

How would South Carolina’s new wide receivers coach describe his position group heading into the 2024 season?

“Largely unknown.”

“Super talented.”

“Super competitive.”

And, again, “super unknown.”

No one has distinguished themselves as WR1 heading into preseason camp, Mike Furrey told The State at the fourth annual Birdies with Beamer golf tournament last week. But Furrey doesn’t want one standout producer. He wants a group of them.

“I’m really excited for training camp because we have returners, we have transfers, and we have freshmen that all have the potential to make an impact in our ‘24 season,” Furrey said. “... We’re gonna find out, throughout this camp, who can play football at a high level, with high football IQ.”

South Carolina’s first preseason practice is this Friday.

Over the offseason, South Carolina saw the departure of big names like Xavier Legette and Antwane “Juice” Wells from its wide receiver room. Only one starter from 2023, Nyck Harbor, remains. Newcomers include five transfer portal additions — Jared Brown (Coastal Carolina), Dalevon Campbell (Nevada), Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (Louisville), Vandrevius Jacobs (Florida State) and Gage Larvadain (Miami of Ohio) — as well as two true freshmen, Mazeo Bennett Jr. and Debron Gatling.

Players will be able to distinguish themselves over the next month by proving their trustworthiness and consistency, Furrey said. Trust is earned by showing up to workouts on time, making an effort to be engaged and putting in the extra work.

“Reps create reps,” Furrey said, quoting head coach Shane Beamer. “You burn that furnace a little bit and make it hot, you’ll start molding the right guys and you’ll start figuring out who shows up Week 1.”

South Carolina’s 2024 wide receiver room

  • Nyck Harbor: Harbor is the only returning starter in this position group. He did not participate in spring drills because he was busy earning All-America honors as a sprinter. Last season he pulled in 12 catches for 195 yards and one touchdown in 12 games played (including five starts).

  • Luke Doty: Quarterback-turned-wide receiver Doty is labeled as an “athlete” on South Carolina’s roster this season. In 2023, Doty completed two passes for 17 yards. As a receiver, Doty caught 13 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown in 12 games played.

  • Jared Brown: Brown joined South Carolina in the spring by way of Coastal Carolina with two years of eligibility remaining. He caught 58 passes for 740 yards and four touchdowns last season.

  • Dalevon Campbell: Sixth-year senior Campbell also came to USC in the spring after three years at Illinois and two years at Nevada. Campbell caught 31 passes for 594 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Wolf Pack.

  • Ahmari Huggins-Bruce: Senior Huggins-Bruce is from Dillon and arrived in Columbia this spring by way of Louisville. He caught 20 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns last season with the Cardinals.

  • Vandrevius Jacobs: Jacobs joins USC after one season at Florida State. While there he caught three passes for 60 yards and one touchdown in five games. He has four years of eligibility remaining.

  • Gage Larvadain: Senior Larvadain joined South Carolina this spring after two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana and one season at Miami of Ohio. He caught 42 passes for 679 yards and six touchdowns with the RedHawks last year.

  • Tyshawn Russell: Russell is entering his second year with the Gamecocks. He played in 10 games last season, catching five passes for 81 yards and one touchdown.

  • CJ Adams: Redshirt freshman Adams joined South Carolina last summer but didn’t see the field in 2023. He was the No. 116 wide receiver in the Class of 2023, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

  • Elijah Caldwell: Redshirt freshman Caldwell also joined South Carolina last summer and didn’t see the field in 2023. He was the 122nd-best wide receiver in the Class of 2023, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

  • Payton Mangrum: Former walk-on and redshirt senior Mangrum appeared in all 12 of South Carolina’s games last season, mostly on special teams. He also caught two passes for 31 yards.

  • Mazeo Bennett Jr.: In-state standout Bennett enrolled at South Carolina in January. He was the No. 5-rated receiver in South Carolina and No. 40 in the nation, according to 247Sports.

  • Debron Gatling: True freshman Gatling arrived in the spring as well. He was held out of the spring game with an injury three months ago, but Beamer said Thursday every player other than defensive back Zahbari Sandy (ACL) is “good to go.” Gatling was the No. 105 ranked wide receiver in the Class of 2024, according to 247Sports.