Shane Beamer addresses what Antwane Wells brings to the South Carolina offense

After a 7-6 finish to the 2021 season, Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks are looking to elevate to new heights in the 2022 season. Beamer discussed his new James Madison transfer wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells and his performance thus far after the annual spring game on Saturday.

“Juice has had a great spring,” Beamer said. “He’s gotten more and more confident each practice. He’s got an unbelievable competitive spirit about himself and he loves to work. Players didn’t have to be here today until 3 o’clock, I walked in at 1 p.m. and he sat there going over the calls for tonight. It’s important to him. To have him on the outside, that whole receiving group has improved.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound wideout played two seasons at James Madison with just one as a full-time starter, but he left JMU as one of the most productive receivers in school history.

In his two seasons, Wells had 116 receptions for 1,853 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Richmond, Va., native was a first-team All-Colonial pick in 2021, after posting 83 catches, 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns. Wells chose South Carolina over offers from UNC, Miami, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech, among others.

Wells’ addition is one part of what gives South Carolina a dangerous passing attack season. Leading receiver Josh Vann decided to stay for one more season, tight end Jaheim Bell came on strong at the end of the season and the Gamecocks also added quarterback Spencer Rattler and tight end Austin Stogner from Oklahoma.

Dawn Staley praises Shane Beamer, team during spring game

In a show of support for her fellow South Carolina coach, women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley was in attendance for Shane Beamer’s spring game. Staley praised the rise of all South Carolina sports, as the women’s basketball team won the 2022 NCAA Championship earlier this month. Staley was down on the field itself, celebrating the unity the Gamecocks have shown across their different programs.

“I think everybody loves winners,” Staley said. “I think South Carolina has been a place that has tremendous fans. And they deserve some winning ways. I know Coach Beamer has got the football team going. We’re gonna keep doing what we’re doing in the women’s basketball department. Lamont Paris is gonna get basketball going again, men’s basketball. Our women’s sports have been doing it for a very long time. So we’re gonna keep doing it, but the energy that the fans put into us makes us play a little bit harder, a little bit better — and bring home a little more championships.”

The success of Staley and the Gamecocks women’s basketball team has definitely been a bright spot for the school, and the effect of their championship hasn’t gone unnoticed by their other programs. Beamer himself recently spoke about the impact Staley has had on his own recruiting for football. 

“Anytime you have great coaches and great teams on your campus, it helps all the other sports. And we’re no exception,” said Beamer.

On3’s Austin Brezina contributed to this report.