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South Carolina

Antwane Wells Jr. impresses Luke Doty

wesby: Wes Mitchell02/25/22WesMitchellGC
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Antwane Wells Jr. was one of the most productive wide outs in FCS last season. (James Madison Athletics)

South Carolina added former James Madison wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. to its roster from the transfer portal for the spring semester with hopes that he can make an immediate impact on the Gamecocks’ offense.

While spring practice is still three weeks away, the early returns on Wells from winter workouts have been positive with quarterback Luke Doty bragging on his new teammate in a recent Garnet Trust interview.

“He’s a dog,” Doty said with a grin. “Every time we go out there and throw, he’s ready to go. He can roll, that’s about all I can say. He is a competitor. He loves doing what he does and he’s really good at it, so I’m excited to get him out there. He’s going to set Willy B off.”

ALSO SEE: Luke Doty welcomes Spencer Rattler to QB room

With the return of leading receiver Josh Vann to the South Carolina offense, and the emergence of Jaheim Bell last season as a do-it-all threat, the Gamecocks hope Wells is in a position to add another consistent target to the offense.

The 6-foot-1, 204-pounder was one of the most productive receivers in all of FCS last season.

Recently, On3.com’s Mike Huguenin featured Wells on his list of the top 11 players making the jump from FCS to FBS via the transfer portal.

As a redshirt freshman this past season, Wells caught 83 passes for 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those numbers rank fourth (tied), third and first (tied), respectively, in all of FCS and broke the JMU school record in all three categories.

A Highland Springs graduate from Richmond, Va., Wells ranks third all-time at JMU in career receiving touchdowns (21), ninth in career receiving yards (1,853) and ninth in career receptions (116) in a little over a season and a half played.

Wells chose South Carolina over offers from UNC, Miami, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech.

“It seemed like a family-oriented team,” Wells said at the time of his commitment. “When I went down there, I really felt the love. They fed me well. And just the offensive scheme they run, I feel like it fits me best.”

Wells, who has eight 100-yard receiving games in his career, has three years of eligibility remaining.

Wells will make his South Carolina debut next month when the Gamecocks kick off spring practice on March 15. The Garnet and Black spring game is scheduled for April 16.

Discuss Antwane Wells Jr.’s impact this season on The Insiders Forum!

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