South Carolina’s wide receiver opened 2017 as a bundle of potential.
Deebo Samuel was a rising centerpiece. Bryan Edwards was an ideal complementary player off a strong first season. Two four-star freshmen entered the mix.
Coming out of the season, there was progress, but it was the kind forced upon a team by circumstance. Samuel was one of the best players in the country for three weeks, and then was gone with injury. Edwards had to learn to be a top target. Shi Smith and OrTre Smith learned on the job as starters.
All four will be back, as will the other three underclassman receivers who caught passes in 2017.