The South Carolina football program is close to landing a QB/WR duo.
Quarterback Jason Brown and wide receiver EJ Jenkins put up record breaking seasons with St. Francis (PA) in 2019, but both are now on the move, in search of a greater challenge. St. Francis is an FCS school in the Northeast Conference which recently announced that it would not be holding a college football season in the spring. Upon that announcement, the passer/catcher tandem decided to explore opportunities elsewhere.
https://twitter.com/JasonBrown_QB/status/1347603207040675841
One of those opportunities is with the University of South Carolina, a program in desperate need of both quarterbacks and wideouts. The Gamecocks are losing their top target Shi Smith to the NFL draft, while former starting signal callers Collin Hill and Ryan Hilinski have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal.
Brown was an FCS All-American as a sophomore in 2019 after putting up video game type numbers for the Red Flash. He set school records for both passing yards (3,084) and touchdowns (28).
The Virginia native did receive some interest from FBS programs, most notably Charlotte, but he ultimately settled in on St. Francis. He was considered a three-star recruit by 247 Sports.
Brown’s college and high school teammate Jenkins is also in the portal, and is looking to stick with his quarterback at the next stop.
#FCS entry into transfer portal; 6'7" 230lb 2017 WR EJ Jenkins had 39 rec for 779 yards and 13 TD during the 2019 season at St. Francis (PA); VA native @rivalsmike @RivalsWoody
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) January 9, 2021
Jenkins is a big bodied receiver with speed that could potentially create mismatches against opposing secondaries. The former three-star recruit originally committed to Old Dominion, an FBS program in Virginia, but ultimately decided to follow Brown to St. Francis.
In 2019, the pass catcher hauled in 39 receptions and averaged nearly 20 yards a catch. He set a single-season school record with 13 receiving touchdowns, and was named second-team all-conference.
Jenkins may actually project as a tight end if he ends up in Columbia. His 230-pound frame should allow him to take on blocking assignments, while his height and athleticism should help him take advantage of smaller defensive backs.
Phil Kornblut of the Post and Courier recently spoke to the duo about plans for a future with South Carolina.
"“We were told we both have offers. They just have to get us in. Admissions take about five days to get the percentage and hours of classes and things like that. We’ll be ready to commit once everything finalizes. We’ll have to be March 1st enrollees.”"
The two are expected to join the roster this spring, giving the Gamecocks an immediate boost in experience and production at offensive positions of need.