Former South Carolina Wide Receiver Confirms Return, Eyes Key Role in Team’s 2025 Campaign
Columbia, SC – July 30, 2025
In a surprising and inspiring turn of events, former South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Rico Powers has confirmed he will return to the program for the 2025 season, reigniting hopes among fans and coaches alike. The announcement, made Tuesday afternoon, came as a welcome shock just days before fall camp opens. Powers, who initially transferred from South Carolina following the 2022 season and explored other opportunities, has made the decision to rejoin Shane Beamer’s team in pursuit of unfinished business.
“I left with a heavy heart, and I’m returning with a renewed spirit,” Powers said during an exclusive interview. “This program made me who I am, and now I want to help it get to where it belongs.”
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver’s decision to come back was driven by both personal and football motivations. Sources close to Powers say that conversations with Coach Beamer and former teammates helped pave the way for his return. While he had stints at Jackson State and briefly flirted with the idea of entering the NFL Draft, the allure of competing once more in the SEC — and doing it with South Carolina — proved irresistible.
A Familiar Face with New Fire
Powers first joined the Gamecocks in the 2020 recruiting class as a four-star prospect out of Hapeville Charter Academy in Georgia. He appeared in 11 games during his freshman and sophomore years, showing flashes of big-play potential but never fully settling into a starting role amid stiff competition.
During his time away, Powers matured both on and off the field. At Jackson State, he became a vocal leader and a consistent threat, totaling 685 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023. That experience, he says, taught him more about preparation, mental toughness, and what it means to be “the guy.”
“I’m not the same kid I was when I left,” Powers added. “This version of me knows what it takes. I’m not here just to fill a spot—I’m here to make an impact.”
Beamer’s Stamp of Approval
Head coach Shane Beamer didn’t hide his enthusiasm about Powers’ return, noting during a press briefing on Wednesday that it felt like “getting back a missing piece.”
“Rico has always had the talent,” Beamer said. “Now, he’s bringing experience, perspective, and leadership that our locker room will benefit from. We’re thrilled to have him back.”
Beamer also emphasized that Powers’ return doesn’t guarantee him a starting position but praised his attitude and work ethic since rejoining offseason workouts in June.
“He knows he’s got to earn everything, and that’s exactly what he’s doing,” Beamer said. “This is about competition and getting better. And Rico is making us better.”
Depth Boost for South Carolina’s Offense
South Carolina’s receiving corps, while promising, lacked a proven veteran presence after the departure of standout Xavier Legette to the NFL. The return of Powers adds immediate depth and experience to a unit led by junior Nyck Harbor and sophomore Kelvin Thomas. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will now have another weapon to stretch defenses and create mismatches in the slot and on the outside.
With dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers entering his second year as a starter, the timing of Powers’ return could not be better. Sellers’ strong arm and mobility complement Powers’ deep route-running skills, and coaches are already working on integrating plays to maximize the pairing.
“Rico brings an element of explosiveness and route precision that can open up our offense in ways we didn’t have last season,” Loggains said. “We’re going to find ways to get him involved early and often.”
Eyeing Redemption and Team Goals
More than personal success, Powers says his focus is on helping South Carolina reach new heights. The Gamecocks are coming off a 7–6 season and a Gasparilla Bowl win but enter 2025 with higher expectations. With added transfer portal talent and a maturing core, they’re being viewed as a sleeper team in the SEC East.
“This is bigger than me,” Powers said. “It’s about setting the tone, being a leader, and making sure we finish strong this time. I came back to win.”
He’s also mentoring younger receivers, taking on a role he says he would have benefited from earlier in his career. Wide receivers coach Justin Stepp noted that Powers has embraced the leadership role immediately and has already made an impression during summer conditioning.
What Comes Next
Powers is expected to take part in full fall camp beginning next week and could see significant reps in South Carolina’s season opener against East Carolina on August 31. Though the final depth chart is still weeks away, it’s clear he’ll be a key part of the offense.
As the Gamecocks prepare for a challenging SEC slate, including matchups with Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, Rico Powers’ comeback story adds a layer of intrigue—and hope—for a team hungry to prove it belongs among the league’s elite.
“It’s not about how you start,” Powers said, “It’s about how you finish. And I’m here to finish what I started.”
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