Jalen Brooks ready to make impact after returning to team
It couldn’t have been easy for Jalen Brooks to sit and watch South Carolina’s games on television instead of being on the sideline.
Away from the team for personal reasons the final few weeks of the season last year, Brooks is back with the Gamecocks and ready to get back with his teammates.
Adversity hits, and at the end of the day football is not everything,” he said.
“My time off, I was able to come back faster and stronger. I graduated. I’m starting my masters right now. It’s been a blessing. Has it been a struggle? Yes. But it’s been a blessing in disguise. I feel like I’ve handled that pretty well. I’m back with the team and ready to keep getting things rolling the way they’ve had it going. I’m ready.”
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It wasn’t easy, and Brooks spent a lot of time leaning on Shane Beamer while away from the team.
Beamer hasn’t addressed why Brooks missed as much time as he did, but the two spoke regularly with Beamer never leaving the receiver’s corner.
“I applaud him so much. He’s been such a great guy. Not only does he want me to be a great athlete but wants me to be a great father, great husband,” Brooks said. “That’s one thing he preaches here: be more than an athlete…I appreciate him a lot and sticking with me through my hardships.”
And now it’s time for Brooks to put that behind him and also try to find a role in what is a revamped receiver room.
The group looks a lot different than the one Brooks left midseason. The Gamecocks have added some impact pieces like Corey Rucker, Antwane Wells Jr. and Landon Samson to pair with returners like Josh Vann and Dakereon Joyner.
“It’s deep. But it’s deep in a good way. There’s a lot of talent, a lot of experience and a lot of competition. We’re all feeding off each other. We all have a place we want to me,” Brooks said.
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“Everybody has dreams, everybody has goals and we’re all trying to accomplish those. I feel like everyone’s doing their thing to get it accomplished.”
Brooks is one of the more seasoned veterans in the room, entering his second year in the offense with a good chunk of football played.
Over his two years at South Carolina he’s hauled in 25 passes for 281 yards. Last season in five games he had 14 receptions and 181 yards and a score. All three of those were career highs.
“I feel like I’m a vet guy. I feel like I bring leadership,” he said. “Just being around, making sure everyone is doing the right things and everyone’s good with the plays. I love being a leader and an asset to this team.”
Brooks is high on the potential in his room, quickly saying “everybody,” when asked who the media will be talking about four weeks into the year.
“Everybody from the bottom to the top and top to bottom,” Brooks said. “Juice and Corey, they both came in as transfers. I mean, everybody is grinding and showing out. Everybody.”
