Mazeo Bennett had every reason to walk away after last season, and that’s exactly why his decision to stay stood out.
South Carolina’s offense was a mess in 2025, and Bennett felt the fallout as much as anyone. His production dropped to 10 catches for 62 yards with no touchdowns, a steep fall from the 30 receptions, 337 yards and three scores he posted in 2024.
His playing time dipped too. In a college football world built on movement, that kind of season usually points straight to the transfer portal.
Bennett never went there.
“I feel like any sane person going through what I went through would want to think that, but at the end of the day, it’s, ‘Who do you want to be and what do you want to be known for?’” Bennett said.
“I’m from South Carolina. I was born and bred here.
My family’s here. Everything good in my life has come from here, so I want to stay here.
“It’s easy to transfer. It’s hard to stay.”
That line fits Bennett’s story as well as anything. He had the kind of year that could have pushed plenty of players to start over somewhere else, but he never complained, never asked out, and never signaled that he wanted a fresh start. When the season ended, he got back to work.
USC receivers coach Mike Furrey said the turmoil around the offense made last season difficult for everyone involved.
“I just think the whole thing last year, it just didn’t work out and there were a lot of pieces that we were trying to figure out and get through the season,” Furrey said.
“He’s been awesome. He’s been one of our leaders this entire summer. He’s worked his tail off.”
Bennett’s standing inside the program has only grown. There isn’t a settled depth chart yet, but he was a little ahead of Jayden Sellers at slot receiver before Sellers suffered a season-ending injury. If the season opened now, Bennett would be one of the top four receivers South Carolina has available.
Coach Shane Beamer pointed back to what Bennett showed early in his career and what he kept showing even after last season went sideways.
“Today was a third-and-long day, and we showed it in the team meeting this morning, the touchdown catch he had at Alabama. It was fourth and 9 … being able to come in as a true freshman and do what he did …, ” Beamer said.
“And then, last season, I know, didn’t go the way that he wanted it to as far as his role, but he didn’t pout. He didn’t complain.
He didn’t threaten to transfer. The competitiveness in him came right back out.”
Bennett didn’t spend much time unpacking the frustration of 2025. He kept it short and moved on.
“I don’t know, but at the end of the day, it’s not my job to know. I’m going to deal with whatever hand I’m being dealt,” Bennett said. “I’m a real trooper, so whatever happens, I’m going to make do with it.”
His teammate Donovan Murph, a sophomore who is only a year behind him, said Bennett’s example has mattered in the receivers room.
“Mazeo’s been through a lot. He’s just helped me see how I can continue to grow as a man,” Murph said. “Maze has been one of the vocal leaders in our room, and I can say I’ve learned from Maze every day.”
Bennett will be back on the field Sept. 5, with his role still to be determined. Maybe he starts, maybe he doesn’t.
Either way, he has already shown why South Carolina wanted him back. He stayed when leaving would have been easier, and he did it without turning last season into his identity.
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