There was plenty of skepticism as to whether transfer wide receiver Jalen Brooks would ultimately be cleared by the NCAA after the university appealed his initial denial for immediate eligibility, but the wideout - and the Gamecocks - got good news on that front prior to the LSU game.
Brooks heard the news in front of the team, prompting a team-wide celebration for a player who's worked hard to get to the point where he has an opportunity to play in the SEC.
Even while on the shelf waiting to hear if he could play at some point this season, Brooks was still able to practice and put in plenty of work on his own. Will Muschamp mentioned in one recent media setting that Brooks and cornerback Cam Smith were often working against each other, each trying to improve their games.
Nobody needs to set an expectation that Brooks' presence on the roster is going to dramatically turn around the Gamecocks' passing attack. What he can bring, however, is a vertical presence that has been lacking so far this season. Mike Bobo has done a very good job in structuring the offense to South Carolina's strengths and making adjustments throughout games that have kept Carolina in each contest so far this season.
USC does lack a true vertical threat aside from Shi Smith, and others - like Xavier Legette - have shown only glimpses thus far. Indeed, Carolina is just 3-12 on passing attempts of 20 yards or more down the field. Brooks is not a "jump ball" type wideout, but he can certainly run and could help Carolina stretch the field when he's out there. One aspect that's been mentioned by Will Muschamp is that USC has to be able to threaten the field vertically. Can Brooks snag a deep ball or two at some point?
Brooks is also the type of player that could end up helping USC on special teams coverage.
The need for others to step up at this position is still there, and the hope internally is still that guys like Legette and Josh Vann can progress, that Dakereon Joyner will be able to maximize his touches (he's made two nice plays the past two weeks on reverses), but having Brooks is certainly a positive development for this team.
Brooks heard the news in front of the team, prompting a team-wide celebration for a player who's worked hard to get to the point where he has an opportunity to play in the SEC.
Even while on the shelf waiting to hear if he could play at some point this season, Brooks was still able to practice and put in plenty of work on his own. Will Muschamp mentioned in one recent media setting that Brooks and cornerback Cam Smith were often working against each other, each trying to improve their games.
Nobody needs to set an expectation that Brooks' presence on the roster is going to dramatically turn around the Gamecocks' passing attack. What he can bring, however, is a vertical presence that has been lacking so far this season. Mike Bobo has done a very good job in structuring the offense to South Carolina's strengths and making adjustments throughout games that have kept Carolina in each contest so far this season.
USC does lack a true vertical threat aside from Shi Smith, and others - like Xavier Legette - have shown only glimpses thus far. Indeed, Carolina is just 3-12 on passing attempts of 20 yards or more down the field. Brooks is not a "jump ball" type wideout, but he can certainly run and could help Carolina stretch the field when he's out there. One aspect that's been mentioned by Will Muschamp is that USC has to be able to threaten the field vertically. Can Brooks snag a deep ball or two at some point?
Brooks is also the type of player that could end up helping USC on special teams coverage.
The need for others to step up at this position is still there, and the hope internally is still that guys like Legette and Josh Vann can progress, that Dakereon Joyner will be able to maximize his touches (he's made two nice plays the past two weeks on reverses), but having Brooks is certainly a positive development for this team.
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