Newcomer Isaiah Augustave Making Early Impression in South Carolina’s Backfield
Isaiah Augustave hasn’t been in Columbia long, but the transfer running back is already standing out in preseason camp for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks.
The former Colorado back joined South Carolina in June as a late addition from the transfer portal. In just a few short months, he’s caught the attention of his head coach.
“We’re really excited about him,” Beamer said Tuesday. “You forget that he just got here in the summertime. He’s got speed, he’s got explosiveness.”
Big Play Ability
Augustave’s résumé already shows potential. As a sophomore at Colorado in 2024, he led the team with 85 carries, racking up 394 yards and four touchdowns. He originally began his career at Arkansas and briefly committed to Virginia before ultimately finding his way to Columbia.
The Gamecocks held their second preseason scrimmage last Saturday, and Beamer revealed that Augustave delivered the most explosive play of camp so far.
“He had the longest run, at least in a scrimmage, of the preseason the other day where he broke a tackle and had a 60-70 yard run which was impressive to see,” Beamer said. “We need that explosiveness at the running back position, for sure.”
At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Augustave brings both size and speed to the backfield. Beamer praised his toughness and added that he’s been valuable on special teams as well.
“He’s a guy that is very serious about his work,” Beamer said. “(He) can run. He’s got size. He’s got an explosiveness to him when he hits the hole. He’s a hard runner, and has been really good for us on special teams as well because of his size and speed of getting downhill.”
Running backs coach Marquel Blackwell also spoke highly of Augustave before camp began.
“I think he’s got short area quickness,” Blackwell told The State. “He’s a bigger guy. He can finish the runs down the field…One thing I know he does is he retains the information really well, and that’s a positive. So we’re just looking forward to implementing him and just seeing how this thing works itself out.”
RB Room Still Taking Shape
Augustave’s early impact is welcome news for a Gamecocks running back unit still searching for stability. The program has been waiting since January on the NCAA’s ruling regarding a seventh year of eligibility for transfer Rahsul Faison, who was expected to compete for the starting job.
Beamer confirmed Tuesday that he still has “no update” on Faison’s status.
Even with the uncertainty, Beamer believes the room is stronger than a year ago.
“I believe this, we’re better in that running back room than what we were last year,” Beamer said. “And that’s nothing against anybody that was here (last year)…We have more depth in that room this year. And they’re all really supportive of one another and knowing that they’re all competing with each other and making one another better. And they’re all supportive of (Rahsul) and (Rahsul) is supportive of them, and then they’ve done a good job of working together without a doubt.”
Blackwell has maintained throughout camp that the backfield will likely operate by committee until someone separates themselves. Augustave’s emergence—alongside Faison, should he be cleared—could give South Carolina much-needed depth and versatility.
Preparing With or Without Faison
The staff continues to prepare as though Faison will be available, though Beamer admitted it’s a balancing act.
“We haven’t had a conversation where I told Coach Blackwell, ‘Hey, let’s not use (Faison) here, because we don’t know,’” Beamer said. “It’s more, let’s play on him playing and let’s do what we would do if there wasn’t an eligibility issue. Also, though, understanding that we’ve got other running backs that are going to play, whether (Faison) is eligible or not, you’re going to see more than one or two running backs out there. So let’s get those guys ready to go.”
A minor shoulder bruise limited Faison last week, which in turn gave players like Augustave more chances to take first-team reps. With his combination of size, speed, and big-play ability, Augustave is making the most of them—and quickly carving out a role in the Gamecocks’ offense.
