The transfer portal giveth and the portal taketh away, but for the Gamecocks it seems as if it takes more than it gives at times. Big names have departed the program under Beamer’s reign which has left certain positions bare and in need of a talent upgrade.
One can’t help but wonder, if the Gamecocks could have one player back from the portal, no questions asked, who would it be and why?
Everyone is going to have a different take on this which is a great thing. But before anyone answers the question, this is an important time as fans to check our bias. Not to name any names, but certain players have left on less than favorable footing with possibly the coaching staff, but mostly with fans. We all will have our reasons for our answer, but hopefully it’s answered not through the lens of bias or having a grudge against a player but through one based on a player’s talent and theoretical contribution to the team.
Also, I’m aware that Gilber Edmond did return, and no disrespect to him, but if South Carolina had their choice, I think they would have picked a different player.
That said, I don’t know how that player is not Juice Wells. We all know the conditions under which he left. He collected NIL from USC while milking an injury which later was disclosed to not be as physically limiting as originally believed. He announced that he would be returning the following season and seemingly implied that return would be to the Gamecocks, but as soon as the portal opened he bolted to Ole Miss.
I’m not saying that I agree with how he left, but I do understand his reasoning. He cited the ability to play for a winning program that has an SEC proven QB as his biggest reasons for transferring. Where’s the lie? Both programs went 8-5 two seasons ago while Ole Miss climbed to 11-2 last year as the Gamecocks regressed to 5-7. Not to mention, the Rebels return Jaxson Dart while USC is breaking in a new (but promising) QB in LaNorris Sellers.
In 2022, Wells had 68 receptions for 928 yards and 6 touchdowns and looked to be entering the following season as WR1. This is the type of proven wide receiver that the Gamecocks will need next season. I think they have some promising receiver options, but no one is remotely close to the level of proven production that Juice Wells displayed two seasons ago.
His draft stock rose significantly after his first season with the Gamecocks, but he chose to return along with Spencer Rattler. I think he wanted to prove that he was capable of being the workhorse at the position and possibly climb into the top 2 rounds of the NFL draft. Due to the injury, this dream was delayed. I believe that Wells views this upcoming year as his last in college and wants to get the most out of it before declaring for the draft. If he has a stellar year, his dream may become a reality. So it’s hard to blame him for wanting to go to a better situation to produce the numbers needed to impress NFL execs.
Had he remained at Carolina, there is little question that he would have been the top target for Sellers and would have been the go to guy. Instead, this position is made up of talented but unproven options. If South Carolina and Shane Beamer could wave a magic wand and get him back, the biggest question mark on the team would get its answer.