South Carolina put redshirt sophomore wide receiver Payton Mangrum on the stock exchange Monday. Here’s how Coach Shane Beamer and the team broke the news to the 6-foot, 198-pound Greenville player:

“Just keep working and improving and improving that 1%,” Beamer said in the video, emphasizing the dedication to practice and preparation. “That’s what Payton Mangrum continues to do.

“But one thing you won’t keep doing is paying for your education,” he added, as Mangrum’s teammates burst into applause and immediately showered him with hugs.

Mangrum, who arrived at USC from Eastide High School in 2020, played 14 games as a Gamecock, including 13 last season.

He caught a 44-yard touchdown in the team’s 2021 game against Tennessee, his only catch of the season, on a fake punt play. Mangrum played mostly on special teams last season.

He made the SEC’s 2021 Fall Academic Honor Roll, as well as the 2020-21 Freshman Academic Honor Roll.

Wide receivers coach Justin Stepp said via Twitter on Monday, “No one deserves this anymore. So proud of you PA! Love you @PaytonMangrum”

This story was originally published August 15, 2022 2:25 p.m.