Shane Beamer addresses strengths, shortcomings of South Carolina's wide receiver room through 5 games
Heading into the 2024 season, South Carolina’s wide receiver room was one part of the roster that was put under a microscope.
Two of its top pass-catching targets – Xavier Legette and Juice Wells – departed the program via the NFL Draft and transfer portal, respectively. Since then, the team has brought in an influx of transfers and recruits to fill in Legette’s and Wells’ vacancies.
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The Gamecocks’ wide receivers have spent time building chemistry and working out growing pains since August. Even with some struggles, head coach Shane Beamer is confident in the players at the position through five games.
“We feel like we have a solid group of guys, there’s no question about it, that have all flashed at times,” Beamer said. “Just like every position on our roster, we’re continuing to try and get those guys better.”
Many of the team’s wideouts are in the midst of their first college football seasons competing at an SEC level. For those who played in Group of Five conferences – or even high school – last year, seeing a slight uptick in competition has required some adjustments.
Despite these challenges, the wide receiver room has improved, Beamer said. And that improvement also applies to Nyck Harbor, a sophomore and former five-star recruit who transitioned to the position last year.
“I like the way that they continue to get better,” Beamer said. “There’s no question in my mind that Nyck Harbor has gotten better as a player since the beginning of the season. And you can say that with a lot of guys.”
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South Carolina’s wide receiver room has also evolved into one that “spreads the wealth,” a shift compared to recent seasons. Freshman wideout Mazeo Bennett currently leads the team with 200 receiving yards and 14 receptions. But Gage Larvadain, Vandrevius Jacobs and Jared Brown have logged 100-yard seasons, too.
The Gamecocks’ recent starting lineups have also showcased their versatility, Beamer said.
“We’ve actually started a difference receiver the last three games. Nyck started Saturday. The Saturday before that was Gage. The Saturday before that, Dre was one of our starters,” Beamer said. “Mazeo’s been consistent out there, as well.”
Beamer knows South Carolina’s wideouts still have room to grow, though. Some players still need to fine-tune individual aspects of their games, he said.
“When we talk about the details of how to do things, they’re right in middle of that, just like all of our positions are,” Beamer said. “So, we have to be more detailed.”
But Beamer said he is impressed with the wide receiver room’s trajectory for 2024 and beyond.
“I like the progress those guys have made. I think Coach (Mike) Furrey‘s doing a great job as well with the coaching and the recruiting,” Beamer said. “We were FaceTiming recruits last night, and the expression is a ‘flurry of activity.’ So, I told him it’s a ‘Furrey of activity.'”
