Former South Carolina receiver joining local NFL team

The Los Angeles Chargers cut former South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Dalevon Campbell earlier this week. He had a strong preseason effort, but it wasn’t enough to make the initial roster.

On Wednesday, he found a new place to call home.

The Carolina Panthers claimed Campbell off waivers. With the move, he will join fellow former Gamecocks like Jaycee Horn, Xavier Legette, Rico Dowdle, and DJ Wonnum. However, he did not play on the same South Carolina team as any of his new teammates. He will join Legette, a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, in the wide receiver room.

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Last season, the Carolina Panthers struggled mightily at the receiver position. Though the team finished as a middle-of-the-pack group in terms of receiving touchdowns, the Panthers were third-worst in the NFL in total receiving yards. Adam Thielen (who was traded this week) led the team with just 615 yards and five touchdowns. Then, Legette was next, posting 497 yards and four touchdowns.

Carolina was near the bottom of the NFL in explosive completions. Campbell, a deep threat during his time at South Carolina and Nevada, can potentially help rectify that issue.

Campbell will compete at the receiver position with Legette, Jalen Coker, Jimmy Horn, Jr., David Moore, Brycen Tremaine, and fellow rookie Tetairoa McMillan.

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Following a transfer from Nevada, Campbell spent just one season with the Gamecocks. He didn’t see much run early but came on late. He registered just 12 receptions but managed 312 yards. Campbell was also an extremely valuable special teams player for USC, excelling as a gunner on kick coverage teams.

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