South Carolina football's Jalen Brooks back with team after absence | Source

Cory Diaz, Greenville News
·2 min read
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COLUMBIA – Wide receiver Jalen Brooks has rejoined the South Carolina football team, a source close to the program confirmed to The Greenville News on Thursday.

The source spoke on condition of anonymity as the football program has not announced Brooks' status with the team.

Brooks, on track for his senior season in 2022, was not listed on the Gamecocks' active roster online as of Thursday morning, and hasn't been since he left the team in October.

A starter early in the 2021 season for the Gamecocks, the Harrisburg, North Carolina, native played in the first six games before missing the second half of the season due to undisclosed reasons.

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Jalen Brooks (3) makes a catch in the fourth quarter of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Williams-Brice Stadium, in Columbia on September 25, 2021.
South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Jalen Brooks (3) makes a catch in the fourth quarter of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Williams-Brice Stadium, in Columbia on September 25, 2021.

South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer has been asked multiple times about Brooks since his absence began following the Tennessee game on Oct. 9.

Beamer said as recently as March during spring football practice that he has kept in "constant contact" with Brooks while he has been away but that he was "not part of the program at this point."

Beamer also told media members at a Gamecock Club event last week that the program would address Brooks' status in June, stating they'd have more clarity "very soon."

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In six games last season, Brooks caught 14 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown against Kentucky.

Where the 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver fits into the depth chart after his absence will be a question going forward. Not only does star receiver Josh Vann return along with Dakereon Joyner, Xavier Legette and Ahmarean Brown, but South Carolina added transfers Antwane Wells Jr. and Corey Rucker to what is now a packed receiving corps.

It's anticipated both Rucker and Wells will play, while Legette and Brown were both lauded by Beamer for their spring performances and are in line for more playing time. Vann and Joyner, the MVP of the Duke's Mayo Bowl, are solidified starters for the Gamecocks.

Cory Diaz covers the South Carolina Gamecocks for The Greenville News as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his work for all things Gamecocks on Twitter: @CoryDiaz_TGN. Got questions regarding South Carolina athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football's Jalen Brooks rejoins team after absence