Jalen Brooks knows where he needs to improve before his second season with South Carolina Gamecocks.
Take the soccer ball, it’s that simple. Getting to this point was far from easy.
Brooks, who spent two seasons at Wingate, was moved to Tarleton State to begin 2020. Then 2020 happened. Late last summer, Brooks moved to South Carolina, feeling good about the opportunity to play immediately.
The NCAA had other plans until, well, they didn’t.
“Last year, for me, was an extremely difficult period, because I really thought I would be eligible in the first week against Tennessee, so I was rejected,” said Brooks. “So they said that I would be eligible next week and that was rejected, so the next week, that was rejected.
“It was a difficult time, but I have people like Connor Shaw always checking on me, making sure my head is fine and things like that. George Wynn has always kept an eye on me too. “
Once Brooks was on the pitch, he struggled with the most important part of playing on the wide receiver. According to secstatcat.com, his six missed passes were the majority for the team.
Brooks ended with 11 receptions for 100 yards in the last six games of the season.
“This is probably the biggest adversity I have experienced in such a short time. … It brought me much closer to God and I just have to go back to myself and make sure I don’t get too involved in it and continue to be myself, ”said Brooks,“ because the fans and stuff like that, you end up having a important role, especially on Twitter. Now, I just have to stay away from Twitter and things like that. Just be aware of things and learn a little about yourself. “
He added: “I have to be consistent from training to games. Just be more solid and know everything that is going on and have a better head space as well. “
What else did Brooks discuss during his media availability on Thursday? If you are viewing this story on the PPG message board, click on the link below to continue reading the rest.