Shane Beamer ‘totally confident’ Antwane Wells will play for Gamecocks against UNC
South Carolina’s No. 1 wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells is expected to play Saturday in the Gamecocks’ season opener against UNC, coach Shane Beamer said.
“He told me he was 100 percent,” Beamer said on Jim Rome’s national radio show Tuesday. “I expect him to play. He practiced today and did a little bit yesterday as well. Totally confident he will play. He might not be 100 percent, but he will be good enough. His 90 percent is better than people’s 100 percent.”
Wells had been battling a lower body injury for much of the fall. But when the Gamecocks released their Week 1 depth chart with Wells listed as a starting wide receiver, it quelled concerns of his health.
Beamer offered additional injury updates Tuesday afternoon at his weekly press conference, saying Wells and fellow receiver Nyck Harbor (undisclosed) practiced Tuesday and are expected to play.
“No issues with those guys,” Beamer said. “I full expect to see them on Saturday night.”
Defensive lineman Jatius Geer, linebacker Bam Martin-Scott and tight end Connor Cox are questionable for Saturday’s game, Beamer said.
Wells is South Carolina’s and the SEC’s top returning receiver. The transfer from James Madison finished 2022 with 68 catches for 928 yards — the second-most in the league. He went for 110 yards or more four times, including USC’s upset win over then-No. 5 Tennessee, where he logged 11 catches for 177 yards.
Those stats earned him first team All-SEC performer nods from Pro Football Focus, Phil Steele and the league’s coaches.
The Gamecocks face off with the Tar Heels on Saturday night in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium to kickoff the 2023 season. The 7:30 p.m. game will be televised on ABC.
This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Shane Beamer ‘totally confident’ Antwane Wells will play for Gamecocks against UNC."
