Speedy in-state receiver recruit reacts to ‘surreal’ South Carolina football offer

Wide receiver Jackson Repp of Christ Church in Greenville had a big season in 2023 helping the Cavaliers win another S.C. football state championship. He caught 63 passes for 1,510 yards and 27 touchdowns, and accumulated 2,393 all-purpose yards and 32 total touchdowns.

As impressive as those numbers were, they didn’t resonate with Power Four programs. Boston College was his only offer from that level until July 26.

Repp worked out that day at the USC Gamecocks’ camp in front of head coach Shane Beamer and receivers coached Mike Furrey, then followed that up with a blazing sub-4.3 seconds clocked time in the 40-yard dash.

Five days later, Repp (5-8, 160) received an offer from Beamer and Furrey.

“I knew it was fast when I ran it. I felt like I was moving,” Repp said. “I came back to Coach Furrey and was looking at the stop watch and I was like, holy crap, that’s my fastest one ever. I wouldn’t say I was expecting anything after, but that definitely raised some eyebrows. I knew that was going to get me even more on the map. I had seven-on-seven earlier at South Carolina and I performed there and got some more eyes on me.”

Repp has made his name as a speed demon, and speed is something every receivers coach seeks. But there’s got to be more to a receiver’s skills than just speed. Repp knows that, and he believes Beamer and Furrey see more in him than just his 40 time.

“I think it’s not just me as a receiver, it’s me and what I can do in the special teams game and how I can be used other ways as well,” Repp said. “As a receiver, I talked to Coach Furrey and Beamer and they both said I’ve got elite route running, elite ball skills, elite hands, elite speed obviously.

“The one quality I don’t have that’s elite is the height. There’s ways to work around that. I can’t change that. I’m not worried about that. There’s ways they can use me where I don’t need to be a 6-5 outside receiver. I can be in the slot and all that, return kicks and punts, anyway that I can be used in that offense. I think there’s a lot of ways I can be productive.”

South Carolina now joins Boston College and several FCS programs as offers for Repp. He appreciates them all, but the SEC opportunity, he said, is something special.

“It’s been my dream my entire life to play in the SEC,” Repp said. “The SEC is the conference I grew up watching. I didn’t grow up a South Carolina or Clemson fan despite being from South Carolina, but I follow both programs growing up. SEC football is the top level, as high as you can get. It’s so surreal to me that I have an opportunity to play at that level.”

After seeing the news that USC had offered Repp, Gamecock fans probably figured he would jump right on the offer and commit. Repp understands that but also knows the offer came with no strings attached regarding a quick decision.

“I would say it’s the most intriguing offer I have right now,” he said. “I’m not looking to drag the process out. Coach Beamer said there’s no rush. It’s not you’ve got to commit so soon and the offer is gone. I’m taking my time and making sure everything feels right.”

Clemson hasn’t offered Repp, but they know about him as well. He camped there this summer and worked out in front of receivers coach Tyler Grisham.

“I talk to Coach Grisham a little bit,” he said. “We’ll see where it goes. I think the South Carolina probably puts me more on their clock as well. We’ll see. I’m good where I’m at right now. If I don’t get anything else, I think I’m in a good spot.”

Repp also camped at Georgia this summer and he visited Boston College as well. Some of his other offers include Buffalo, Air Force, Charleston Southern, Mercer, Richmond, Georgia State and Princeton.