Shaq Roland caught 26 passes for 356 yards in 2014. (USATSI)
Shaq Roland caught 26 passes for 356 yards in 2014. (USATSI)
One of South Carolina's most productive wideouts won't be back for his senior season in Columbia, Steve Spurrier confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

After 247Sports affiliate TheBigSpur.com reported earlier Tuesday that junior Shaq Roland had elected to leave the program, Spurrier told reporters at a Shreveport, La. press conference that Roland was still deciding whether or not to enter the NFL Draft but would not be with the team for its Independence Bowl matchup vs. Miami -- or during the 2015 season.

“He elected to drop out of school and maybe go pro," Spurrier said, per The Big Spur. "That was his choice and we wish him the best.”

Roland missed the Gamecocks' loss at Kentucky after missing a team meeting and walkthrough, and did not play in the team's late-season win over South Alabama. Despite those absences, he finished third on the team with 356 yards on 26 receptions. Roland also finished third among Gamecock receivers with 25 receptions for 455 yards in 2013, creating expectations for a breakout 2014 that he couldn't quite meet.

South Carolina is a 3.5-point favorite over the Hurricanes in Saturday's Independence Bowl, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.