Live from the Field: Rahsul Faison’s Unbelievable Football Journey
Few stories in college football are as twisting and improbable as that of Rahsul Faison. A winding path filled with setbacks, sacrifices, and second chances has finally brought him to South Carolina, a place where he can showcase the talent he always believed in but rarely had the opportunity to prove.
A Journey Like No Other
Faison’s timeline is so complex even his previous school, Utah State, had trouble documenting it correctly. But the man himself cleared up the confusion, and it’s no exaggeration to call his path extraordinary.
How does someone who graduated high school in 2019, sat out football for two years, played junior college ball across the country, earned a Division I offer, began prepping for the NFL Draft, then saw his college career revived by a last-minute NCAA ruling, end up back on the field for a final shot at greatness?
“It’s a testament to his hunger,” said Rick Prete, Faison’s mentor and coach since eighth grade. “A lot of guys would’ve checked out, but he stayed committed to his dream. When it became official with South Carolina, it was one of those moments where we knew: This is what you’ve worked for. This is where you belong.”
A Chronological Look at Faison’s Journey
To fully appreciate Faison’s determination, here’s a chronological breakdown of the key moments that defined his journey:
- 2017: As a senior at Pottsgrove High School in Pennsylvania, Faison was unstoppable. He rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and 42 touchdowns, leading his team to a conference championship appearance. He initially committed to FCS Stony Brook.
- 2018: Academic issues redirected him to The Salisbury School in Connecticut, where he amassed 1,800 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. He accepted a grayshirt offer to Marshall but couldn’t replace enough academic credits to start immediately.
- 2019: Faison enrolled at Marshall but, as a grayshirt, didn’t play football and had to pay his first semester’s tuition. “We didn’t have the finances, so I had to come home. It crushed me,” Faison admitted.
- 2020: He spent the year taking online classes at Lackawanna College, waiting for a chance to play again.
- 2021: After two years without a snap, Faison joined Snow College in Utah—a JUCO powerhouse. Moving 2,200 miles from home was a fresh start he desperately needed.
- 2022: In his second year at Snow, Faison cracked the running back rotation, rushing for 355 yards and six touchdowns.
- 2023: Faison transferred to Utah State, playing every game and starting three times. He tallied 736 rushing yards and five touchdowns, proving he could contribute at the Division I level.
- 2024: In a tumultuous season with Utah State, Faison emerged as the offense’s focal point. He carried the ball 198 times for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, including standout performances against Utah and Boise State.
The Unexpected Revival
After what he thought was his final college game, Faison was preparing for the NFL Draft. His eligibility had expired, and he had already started training for his Pro Day. But a late-December ruling changed everything.
Thanks to Diego Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA, which restored eligibility for junior college seasons, Faison suddenly had one more year to play.
“My mind was really set on going to the NFL,” Faison said. “But when schools started reaching out, I thought maybe I should explore my options.”
Why South Carolina?
In January, Faison visited several top programs, including Florida State, Alabama, and North Carolina, before choosing South Carolina. The decision wasn’t about NIL money or guaranteed stardom. Instead, it came down to fit, opportunity, and a team built to win.
“They told me I had a real shot to be the guy,” Faison said. “They have young talent, but it’s about competing, learning from each other, and letting the best man win.”
Prete added, “He wants to win. He wants to compete at the highest level, and South Carolina offered that.”
Fresh Legs and Big Dreams
At 24 years old, Faison is older than most college players, but his limited college workload—just over 400 carries—makes him an intriguing prospect. NFL scouts see the advantage. “He’s got no miles on him,” Prete noted.
For Faison, it’s one final shot to prove he belongs, and if his journey has taught us anything, it’s that betting against him is a mistake.
