It hasn’t taken long for Jalen Brooks to turn some heads in Columbia.

In fact, the recent South Carolina transfer may have already impressed the team’s best defender his first day in pads in Columbia.

During his Wednesday post-practice interview, Gamecock defensive back Jaycee Horn was asked to share his thoughts on any players that are standing out already during training camp.

Without any prompting, the first name out of Horn’s mouth was the newest Gamecock.

“81, I think his name Jalen Brooks, the transfer,” Horn answered. “Today was his first day. He the real deal.”

Considering South Carolina heads into the season looking for help at the receiver position, that’s exactly what Will Muschamp and company want to hear about a player that was recently added to the roster.

This comment from Horn echoes a similar sentiment Muschamp when discussing Brooks this week.

“Just in the short time we’ve been with him, he runs around extremely well, is big and physical, and learns extremely well,” Will Muschamp said during his first press conference of camp. “In a very short time he’s made a very favorable impression on our staff.”

Of course, Brooks needs a waiver to play immediately this fall after transferring in from Tarleton State in Texas this offseason. The reason Brooks needs a waiver after moving up a division?

He actually transferred twice this offseason, once from Wingate to Tarleton State before eventually landing in Columbia.

The Harrisburg, N.C., native earned First-Team All-South Atlantic Conference honors after catching 35 passes for 751 yards and six touchdowns at Wingate.

If he gets his waiver, based on Horn’s comment, it sounds like Brooks will be able to help the Gamecocks immediately this fall.

https://twitter.com/GamecockFB/status/1296159006508175371