South Carolina Football: Gamecock commitment named Player of the Year

South Carolina football fans could use some good news. With the transfer portal opening in less than a week, the Gamecocks are expected to lose a substantial amount of talent from their 2023 roster, and the disappointing news about these probable transfers has leaked out slowly over the past few days.

On Friday morning, though, a positive update has surfaced.

2024 South Carolina football commitment Mazeo “MJ” Bennett was named 4A Region 1 Player of the Year in the state of South Carolina.

Bennett, a consensus 4-star prospect in the 2024 cycle, was a weapon for Greenville High School this season. Playing as a wide receiver, running back, and punt/kick returner, Bennett put up over 1500 total yards and more than 15 touchdowns as a senior. He also led his Red Raider team to a deep run in the 4A Playoffs.

Bennett is expected to be a full-time wide receiver with the Gamecocks, and with the Gamecocks losing four wide receivers to the transfer portal and three more to graduation, playing time is readily available for him to earn when he steps on campus.

As a quick-twitch player with a good feel for finding space in defenses, Bennett seems poised to play in the slot at the college level, but he is dynamic enough to impact the game as an outside receiver if that’s the role the Gamecocks need him to play.

Bennett’s Greenville High teammate Blake Franks is also part of the 2024 recruiting class, committing to the South Carolina football program this spring. Franks is a 4-star offensive tackle who is expected to kick inside to guard or center at the next level.

The only other wide receiver committed to the Gamecocks in the 2024 cycle is 4-star Zy’marion Lang who could be a candidate to flip over to the defensive side of the ball as a defensive back.