How South Carolina will manage freshman influx into receiver room
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Nyck Harbor has attracted a lot of attention since signing with South Carolina — but he won’t be the only new face in Columbia looking to make an impact in Year 1.
The Gamecocks signed five freshmen in this year’s recruiting class. In addition to Harbor, CJ Adams, Elijah Caldwell, Kelton Henderson and Tyshawn Russell are part of the young Gamecocks’ receiving group.
USC receivers coach Justin Stepp spoke highly of the talent from his young receivers but knows it will be an adjustment period for them.
“All of them come in as freshmen. It is hard. You get thrown right into the fire from high school,” Stepp said at last week’s Birdies With Beamer media golf event. “All those guys have done a good job adjusting and figuring things out. Some of them have separated themselves from others the last few weeks. We’ve just got to help them grow up, help them learn the culture and how we do things.”
Here’s a quick look at those five freshmen:
Elijah Caldwell (6-1, 191), Rock Hill — In-state product from Northwestern High in Rock Hill caught 77 passes for 1,365 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in helping the Trojans to the Class 4A state championship game.
Tyshawn Russell (6-0, 174), Harrisburg, Pa. — Had a productive senior season in helping Bishop McDevitt to the Pennsylvania Class 4A title. Russell had 61 catches for 1,334 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Kelton Henderson (6-0, 165), Lehigh Acres, Florida — Was an Under Armour All-American selection who caught 10 passes for 222 and six touchdowns last season.
CJ Adams (6-2, 215), Mableton, Ga. — Started high school career as a quarterback before moving to receiver during his junior season. Adams caught 54 passes for 936 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Nyck Harbor (6-5, 241), Washington DC — The highest ranked recruit in the USC’s Class of 2023 caught 15 passes for 439 yards and five touchdowns last season. Harbor played tight end and defensive end in high school but will be a receiver for the Gamecocks.
Stepp raved about Harbor and compared him to former Clemson receiver Martavis Bryant. The 6-foot-5 Harbor is a two-time District of Columbia Gatorade athlete of the year for football and track and field, and he has Olympic aspirations.
Harbor wasn’t an early enrollee in January, but he’s done his best to get up to speed since he arrived on campus in June.
“He has looked good and is learning the position. Obviously, he is extremely talented,” Stepp said. “I don’t know if I have been around a guy who is as big as he is and runs as well as he does. When he takes his shirt off, he is like a grown man.”
Who’s ready to make the big jump behind Juice?
The Gamecocks don’t have to worry about who Spencer Rattler’s go-to guy will be, as Antwane “Juice” Wells is back after a breakout season.
Wells caught 68 passes for 928 yards and six touchdowns last season. Take Wells out of the equation, however, and no returning receiver caught more than 18 passes.
So who will be No. 2 behind Wells? The production could come from a variety of people, including Memphis transfer Eddie Lewis and former Mullins High standout Xavier Legette.
Legette is someone who caught Stepp’s attention in the offseason. The fotmer Mullins High standout caught seven passes for 76 yards in the TaxSlayer Bowl against Notre Dame.
“He didn’t have a year receiving-wise he wanted but had a heck of a year on special teams and came on at the end,” Stepp said. “He has had the best summer out of anybody in that room. He has worked tirelessly and I am excited for him.”
Stepp also is hoping for big things from Ahmarean Brown, O’Mega Blake and Landon Samson.
“We got guys that are ready to step in and fill those roles,” Stepp said. “We got guys that it is their time to step up and help us. They are excited about that challenge.”
South Carolina receiving group
Eddie Lewis, Grad transfer
Ahmarean Brown, S-Sr.
Xavier Legette, S-Sr.
Antwane Wells, Jr.
Payton Mangrum, Jr.
Ben Rollins, R-Jr.
O’Mega Blake R-So.
Joseph Morris R-So.
Aaron Morton R-So.
Eriq Rice R-So.
Kylic Horton, R-Fr.
Landon Samson R-Fr.
Zavier Short R-Fr.
CJ Adams, Fr.
Elijah Caldwell, Fr.
Nyck Harbor, Fr.
Kelton Henderson, Fr.
Tyshawn Russell, Fr.
