With March Madness in the rearview mirror, all eyes are now turning to college football—and the countdown is officially on in Columbia. In just 11 days, the South Carolina Gamecocks will hit the field for their annual Garnet and Black Spring Game, and the anticipation surrounding Shane Beamer’s squad is heating up.
While much of the offseason chatter has focused on key defensive departures like Kyle Kennard and Nick Emmanwori, a major storyline on offense is the absence of former star running back Rocket Sanders. With Rocket no longer in garnet and black, the Gamecocks are looking to fill some very big cleats.
Head coach Shane Beamer recently shared a positive update on the running back competition, highlighting both the depth and development he’s observed in spring practices. “You’re going to need more than one, more than two—you need more than three,” Beamer said. “And those guys, they’ve all got a good skill set. I like that group a lot.”
The frontrunner appears to be Rahsul Faison, a standout pickup from the transfer portal. He’s joined by experienced back Oscar Adaway III, returner Bradley Dunn, and rising young talents Matthew Fuller and Jawarn Howell. Still, Beamer made it clear that the position will be a committee effort, with everyone fighting to earn their role. “There are a lot of guys that are competing, and they’re all trying to find a role on offense,” he said.
With the Spring Game looming, expect tensions and excitement to escalate. A sandstorm is brewing in Columbia—and the battle for the top RB spot is shaping up to be one of the most compelling stories of South Carolina’s spring.
