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Veteran South Carolina receiver enters transfer portal

by:Kevin Miller•01/02/25•

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Former South Carolina football wide receiver Payton Mangrum at the Citrus Bowl. Photo by: Katie Dugan | GamecockCentral
Former South Carolina football wide receiver Payton Mangrum at the Citrus Bowl. Photo by: Katie Dugan | GamecockCentral

On Thursday, fifth-year senior wide receiver Payton Mangrum announced that he is leaving the Gamecocks via the transfer portal. He revealed his news on social media.

Mangrum joined the South Carolina football program as a walk-on in the class of 2020. He was a 2-star prospect from Eastside High School. Mangrum eventually earned a scholarship with the Gamecocks.

Mostly on special teams, Mangrum appeared in 44 games at USC. In his career, he logged six total catches, including a 44-yard touchdown from punter Kai Kroeger on a fake against Tennessee back in 2021. He finished his time as a Gamecock with 102 receiving yards.

Mangrum was known during his time in Columbia as a selfless teammate and a hard worker. Thanks to the “Covid redshirt” and a traditional redshirt, he will have one more year of eligibility at his next stop.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

Payton Mangrum South Carolina Bio from GamecocksOnline

* 2023 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll

* 2023 Most Inspirational Walk-on

* 2022 Most Inspirational Walk-on

* 2022 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll

* 2021 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll

* 2020-21 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll

Fifth-year performer who works at wide receiver and on special teams… had developed into a leader and a “glue” guy… has the respect of the coaches and players… originally joined the program as a walk-on… was presented with the Jake Panus scholarship for the 2022 season… valuable special teams performer who has appeared in 39 games over the past four seasons.

2023 (Redshirt Junior)

Selected as the Most Inspirational Walk-On and was the Gamecocks’ representative for the Burlsworth Trophy… appeared in all 12 games primarily on special teams… caught two passes for 31 yards… had a 12-yard reception in the season opener against North Carolina and a 19-yard catch against Furman… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore)

Awarded the Jake Panus scholarship prior to the start of the fall semester… nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy as a player who began his career as a walk-on… selected as the Most Inspirational Walk-on at the team’s post-season banquet… saw action in all 13 games, primarily on special teams… credited with two tackles… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

2021 (Redshirt Freshman)

Played in all 13 games, primarily on special teams, earning his first varsity letter… caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Kai Kroeger on a fake punt at Tennessee… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

2020 (Freshman)

True freshman walk-on wide receiver who joined the squad in the summer… made his collegiate debut in the season-finale at Kentucky… did not record any statistics… redshirted… named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL

Graduated from Eastside (S.C.) High School in 2020… was a three-year starter… caught 55 passes for 1,015 yards and 16 TDs as a senior… logged 209 catches for 3,247 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career, going over the 1,000-yard mark in two seasons… earned a spot on the 2019 South Carolina football coaches first team 4A all-state squad… helped the Eagles to an 8-3 record as a senior… coached by Andre Woolcock… also competed in track & field.

PERSONAL

Payton X. Mangrum was born Jan. 26, 2002… is a mass communications major who graduated in May 2024… both parents graduated from South Carolina.

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