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In May, when the calendar revealed that it was 100 days until South Carolina kicked off the season, I posted a story on GamecockCentral entitled “100 predictions for the 2026 Gamecocks.” Now, that countdown is down to just 46 days.
The prediction paired with day 46 read, “Purdue transfer receiver Nitro Tuggle will have more yards than the player he essentially replaced, Vandrevius Jacobs, has at Miami this fall.”
Let’s break down that prognostication.
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2025
South Carolina signed Vandrevius Jacobs out of the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. He played somewhat sparingly that season due to injury. However, in 2025, he was one of two major targets for quarterback LaNorris Sellers, along with Nyck Harbor.
Jacobs logged 32 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns. He was a solid No. 2 option for the Gamecocks, leading the team in total catches and finishing second in receiving yards and touchdowns. He wasn’t consistent, though, as 377 of his yards (68.8% of his total) came in just three games. In four different contests, he didn’t have a single catch; in one other, he had just one reception.
Meanwhile, Tuggle played just one season at Purdue, transferring from Georgia before the 2025 campaign. He was more consistent than Jacobs, getting in on the action in all of Purdue’s games. He also had multiple grabs in all but two games.
Tuggle’s overall numbers were very similar to Jacobs’, as he posted a 34-reception, 500-yard, four-touchdown effort. That came despite the Boilermakers’ anemic offensive production and bad quarterback play. He was the only receiver on the Purdue roster who could make plays beyond the short passing game.
2026
Nyck Harbor is just about a guarantee to start at one of the outside receiver positions for the Gamecocks. Beyond that, there has been a lot of competition in Mike Furrey’s position room.
With Jacobs’ defection, Tuggle essentially replaced him on South Carolina’s roster as a player who could potentially start on the outside and get some reps in the slot, if needed.
Most of Tuggle’s catches in 2025 came in the intermediate game, as he averaged nearly 15 yards per reception, despite having a long of just 36 yards. 18 of his 34 receptions came at an average depth of target between 10 yards and 36 yards. He also did a lot of his work over the middle of the field, as 20 of his 34 grabs came between the numbers.
That type of output plays very nicely opposite a receiver like Harbor. With No. 8 undoubtedly running a lot of deep routes, the intermediate depth between the linebackers and in front of the safeties could become a gold mine for Tuggle.
When Tuggle did go deep in 2025, he posted a 40% reception rate on targets. That was actually higher than Harbor’s success rate down the field. Though Harbor was South Carolina’s primary deep ball threat, Tuggle could have the opportunity to help LaNorris Sellers show off his arm, too.
Perimeter blocking has become increasingly important in the college game. Tuggle was average in that regard last season. However, Purdue trusted him to mix it up outside more than any other receiver on the roster, meaning there might be a little more in the tank for him as a potential big-play-springing blocker. South Carolina certainly could use an improved physicality outside in the run game and quick passing game this fall, and, perhaps, Tuggle can bring some of that.
All of that points to Tuggle earning and maintaining a big role within the South Carolina offense. If that proves to be the case, he will have a strong chance to outpace Jacobs with Miami. The former Gamecock projects to be the team’s fourth receiver, per the latest predictions from CaneSport.com.
