Where EJ Jenkins will play on the pitch for South Carolina this season is on the air. Listed as a wide receiver, but seen working with the narrow ends in the first training session at Spring Camp, head coach Shane Beamer says the 6-foot-7, 242-pound pass catcher is being moved around the attack.
“EJ is a guy we are trying to figure out where he belongs best,” said Beamer after training on Thursday afternoon. “Like all of our boys, Nick Muse it’s a tight end and Jaheim Bell it’s a tight ending, but you’ll see them lined up everywhere. That’s what we want in this attack, flexibility to move the guys. EJ is a guy who is a little bit everywhere now and is being asked to do a lot. We want to get the best players on the pitch and create clashes. We can certainly do that with him. “
Jenkins was transferred to Carolina of St. Francis, an FCS school in Pennsylvania. He took 44 passes for 831 yards and 14 touchdowns. Thirteen of his career scores came in 2019 as a sophomore redshirt. Due to covid-19, the Northeast Conference changed its schedule from autumn to spring and Jenkins and defender Jason Brown chose to enter the transfer portal and both chose Gamecocks.
Wide receiver is and will continue to be a great storyline for Gamecocks. Beamer cited four recipients of whom he saw good things, but said the entire group was exhibiting attributes he wanted to see.
“I’m very excited about OrTre (Smith) and some of the pieces he’s done in the past few days and the mindset he’s practicing and working on, ”said Beamer. “Josh Vann had a great catch the other day. Rico Powers made some interesting plays in the last few days. Jalen Brooks he is the one who seems that every day just works and continues to lead the way and is an impressive-looking guy in the way he behaves. “
The mention of Smith is a good sign after two seasons (2018 and 2019), he was kept in 10 games and five receptions in 53 yards due to a necessary procedure on a knee brace. Smith, listed at 6-4 and 228 pounds, picked up 30 balls like a real freshman in 2017. He opted out of the 2020 season.
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“I don’t want to go in and name all the guys, but I think that all these guys are working hard and the coach (Justin) Stepp is doing a great job training them and teaching them the way we want them to play and their mentality, ”said Beamer.
“I remember coming here in December and the only bowl training we had before we made the decision not to play and observe our recipients and it is a good group. They look like paper. We have guys with size and we continue to inspire confidence in them. I don’t know what has happened in the past or what they have heard about themselves, but I am excited about the group and the way they are working. “
Other than Shi SmithThe season of 57 catches and 633 yards in 2020 was a difficult year for Carolina’s wide receivers. Six returnees from the 2020 season with a bag – including Vann, Powers and Brooks – combined for 38 receptions, 380 yards and two touchdowns.