South Carolina's Carlton Heard seeking to fill void in inexperienced receiving corps

Carlton Heard left Gardner-Webb after a stellar rookie campaign in 2012 to seek a bigger stage to display his unquestionable talent.

He certainly found it in South Carolina.

Heard enrolled at the SEC school in the winter of 2013 and secured a spot on the Gamecocks' roster as a walk-on, impressing coaches enough to win a scholarship prior to the 2014 campaign.

He has also won the trust of coach Steve Spurrier who named Heard a starter at wide receiver prior to the opener against North Carolina, saying the Athens, Ga., native has the potential to be an impact player on offense this season.

"I feel like I've been working hard at it," Heard said in response to Spurrier's comments, according to Willie T. Smith III of The Greenville News. "It means a lot that he said that, but there are so many athletes around you at the receiver position that are just as good as you so you've got to be a top performer every time."

The Gamecocks are in desperate need of dynamic players at wideout, with only two receivers on the roster having caught a pass in competition.

Heard, who caught 31 passes for 422 yards and one touchdown as a redshirt freshman at Gardner-Webb, will be counted on to elevate his game.

"We're still learning," said Heard. "Pharoh (Cooper) has the most game experience. Everybody else is still trying to learn."