South Carolina football freshman graded as best in the entire country

The 2024 South Carolina football recruiting class was one of the highest-rated in recent Gamecock history. With multiple 5-star prospects and a slew of 4-star recruits also joining the program, Shane Beamer and his staff felt like a few true freshman blue chippers could come in and start contributing immediately.

One of these true freshmen the coaches and fanbase were excited about seeing was wide receiver Mazeo Bennett, and through his first four games of the 2024 season, the Greenville High School product has been impressive.

On Saturday against Akron, Bennett had his best performance as a Gamecock, hauling in 5 passes for 71 yards and 1 touchdown. The receptions and yardage total were new career highs, and the touchdown was his second score in garnet and black.

For his effort against the Zips, Mazeo Bennett was the highest-rated freshman wide receiver in the entire country according to the college team at PFF (Pro Football Focus). His 82.2 mark also was the 8th-highest mark among all freshmen in college football.

Bennett, in just four games, has established himself as one of the best pass-catchers on the South Carolina football team. Getting plenty of reps for his home-state program, Bennett is ranked in the top-10 in the country in total receiving yards among freshmen (regardless of position).

The true freshman leads the Gamecocks in receiving yardage and is second on the team in yards from scrimmage (behind starting running back Rocket Sanders), and he is the only player on the roster with multiple receiving touchdowns.

Mazeo Bennett is on pace to become the fourth Gamecock freshman to record at least 600 yards receiving, joining Jermale Kelley, Zola Davis, and Alshon Jeffery.

Bennett and his Gamecock teammates are off this week but will return to action next Saturday for a big game against top-10 Ole Miss at Williams-Brice Stadium.