Rahsul Faison’s Waiver Still in Limbo as Gamecocks Prepare for Fall Camp
As fall camp kicks off this week, South Carolina football still faces a lingering offseason dilemma — the eligibility status of transfer running back Rahsul Faison remains unresolved. Despite growing anticipation, the NCAA has yet to grant Faison a waiver for an additional year of eligibility, and head coach Shane Beamer continues to face the same pressing question from the media: Is there an update on Faison?
“No. I wish I had a different answer for you,” Beamer said Monday after the annual “Birdies with Beamer” golf event. “I was on the phone with some people yesterday, trying to get some things done from that standpoint. (I’ve) got a lot of respect for Charlie Baker, who heads up the NCAA, and I’m confident that they will do the right thing.”
While some athletes have chosen to pursue legal action in similar situations, Beamer didn’t speculate on whether Faison might follow that path. “That’s probably a better question for ‘Sul,” he noted. “You guys will see him on Thursday, but right now, our thought process is we’re full speed ahead, planning on him being with us, and kind of optimistic that the NCAA will make the right decision.”
Although the waiver status is still pending, Beamer confirmed that Faison will participate in practice as fall camp begins. “That’s my plan,” he said. “He asked me the same question today, and I told him ‘Yes.’ So, until somebody tells me otherwise, he’s practicing.”
Running backs coach Marquel Blackwell echoed Beamer’s sentiment, addressing Faison’s uncertain situation with a blend of realism and optimism.
“I know your next question is probably going to be about ‘Sul,” Blackwell joked in an interview with GamecockCentral. “This is the deal, and this is our conversation every week: He’s in a tough spot right now. But he has done a great job with it. Just ‘Control the controllables.’”
Blackwell praised Faison for his maturity and focus. “He can’t control this. But he can prepare and get ready to go so that when that green light goes on, he’s full-go. That’s all he can do. In life, and into adulthood, there’s going to be stuff… He’s been battle-tested.”
Though uncertain about the final outcome, Blackwell remains hopeful. “I’ve got a good feeling about the situation,” he said. “Whether that’s right or wrong, I don’t know. I’m going to stay positive.”
With the season opener set for Sunday, August 31st, against Virginia Tech, Blackwell is preparing his running back room to be ready — with or without Faison. His approach heading into the fall emphasizes a “committee” backfield.
“We will get a lot of good situations in practice,” he said. “We will give those guys every opportunity to win it out.”
However, talent alone won’t be enough to earn playing time. Blackwell stressed the importance of the often-overlooked parts of the game.
“If you don’t protect the football and you don’t protect the quarterback, you probably won’t be out there,” he stated. “We’ve got to do a great job doing the small, intangible things, allowing everything else to fall into place.”
