This took much longer than it needed to take, but in the end, South Carolina got the news it was waiting to hear as Jalen Brooks is eligible immediately for the Gamecocks.

Brooks, an offseason transfer from Tarleton State in Texas, spent the 2019 season at Wingate where he earned First-Team All-South Atlantic Conference honors. Due to the fact he transferred twice this offseason, Brooks arrived at South Carolina ineligible to play for the Gamecocks this fall.

The NCAA initially ruled Brooks could not play for South Carolina during the 2020 season a few weeks ago but the school appealed that decision. On Wednesday, South Carolina announced Brooks has been cleared to compete this season for the Gamecocks.

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.

The receiver position in Columbia is one that certainly could use some help, outside of Shi Smith, as the team’s second most productive receiver this season, Xavier Legette, has just seven catches compared to Smith’s 34.

Following Brooks’ camp debut in Columbia, star defensive back Jaycee Horn singled Brooks out as the one player that had caught his eye.

“81, I think his name Jalen Brooks, the transfer,” Horn said at the start of South Carolina camp. “Today was his first day. He the real deal.”

South Carolina announced the news with the following video: