Jabree Coleman’s Breakout Debut: A Promise Kept, a Position Group Redefined
South Carolina running back Jabree Coleman made good on a promise to his teammates before the season opener against Kent State — and he wasted no time proving it. “As soon as I get the ball, I’m going to make it count,” Coleman said beforehand. On his very first carry as a Gamecock, he broke off a 60-yard touchdown run.
Breaking Down the Big Play
Coleman credited a key block for springing him loose: “Once I passed the corner, DJ Black, our receiver, he had him blocked up really good, and I made it past that. After that, I just knew I had to go running. I was going to score. I wanted it so bad.”
Despite playing just 10 offensive snaps and getting only four carries in the 57-0 win, per Pro Football Focus, Coleman made the most of every touch. He added a second touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard run, finishing the game with a team-high 77 yards.
A Long-Awaited Return to Game Action
Saturday’s performance marked Coleman’s first live game action since high school in 2024. He described the moment as almost hard to believe: “I was ecstatic, and it kind of felt surreal. My first touch ever in football, in college football, I go score. It definitely boosted my confidence, and it just made me feel amazing. It made my family feel amazing. Everybody was so happy, including me.”
Staying Ready Despite Limited Offseason Attention
Entering the season, Coleman generated little preseason buzz, sitting behind Matt Fuller and Christian Clark on the depth chart. But he insisted that never bothered him: “I really wasn’t thinking more so about that. I was just trying to be into the game. My number had got called, and I just wanted to be ready and make my rep matter, because you never know when your number’s gonna get called again. So I just wanted to make sure I did everything I could do to help our team out.”
Beamer Praises the Extra Effort
Head coach Shane Beamer highlighted more than just the touchdown when reflecting on Coleman’s game. Speaking to reporters, Beamer pointed to Coleman’s hustle on plays where he wasn’t even touching the ball: “I love Jabree Coleman… He rips off the 60-yard touchdown run, and then he’s out there the very next play, covering the kickoff on kickoff coverage. Then later in the game we throw a ball, a little RPO to Stone Furrey over on Kent State’s sideline… You see Jabree sprint downfield and he becomes the lead blocker for Stone, 20-30 yards down the field.”
Part of a Bigger Offensive Story
Coleman’s success reflected a broader breakout for South Carolina’s ground game in Week 1. The Gamecocks totaled 278 rushing yards against Kent State — more than any single game total from all of last season, and the program’s best output since rushing for 267 yards against Clemson in 2024.
Coleman was quick to give credit to the offensive line for making his big run possible: “I feel like them guys played amazing. After that play, I got back to my O-line, I told them thank you because it was wide open for me.”
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