Isaiah Augustave Making Early Impact in South Carolina’s Backfield
When Isaiah Augustave arrived in Columbia this June as a late transfer addition, few expected him to make such an immediate impression. But just a few months into his South Carolina career, the junior running back is already catching the eye of head coach Shane Beamer.
“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.”
A Winding Path to Columbia
Augustave transferred to the Gamecocks after a season at Colorado, where he led the Buffaloes in carries (85), rushing yards (394), and touchdowns (4) as a sophomore. He originally began his career at Arkansas and briefly committed to Virginia before ultimately finding his way to South Carolina.
During last Saturday’s second preseason scrimmage, Augustave broke free for what Beamer called the longest run 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.”
Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds, Augustave brings both size and speed to the backfield. Beamer praised not just his big-play ability but also his toughness and versatility.
“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.”
Earning Trust Quickly
Before preseason camp, running backs coach Marquel Blackwell highlighted both Augustave’s physical gifts and football IQ.
“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.”
Running Back Room in Flux
Augustave’s emergence is especially important given South Carolina’s unsettled backfield situation. The Gamecocks have been waiting since January on an NCAA waiver decision for transfer Rahsul Faison, who is seeking a seventh year of eligibility.
Faison was expected to compete for the starting role, but Beamer admitted Tuesday there is still “no update” on his status. That uncertainty makes Augustave’s presence all the more valuable.
The Gamecocks return just one running back who logged more than 50 carries last season and only two who gained over 100 yards. Blackwell has emphasized a committee approach until a clear lead back emerges, regardless of Faison’s fate.
“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.”
Preparing for All Scenarios
Beamer acknowledged that the Faison situation presents unique challenges in practice planning. For now, South Carolina is preparing as if he’ll be cleared to play but also ensuring other backs are ready to step in.
Faison missed some time last week with a shoulder bruise, opening extra opportunities for Augustave and others to earn reps.
“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.”
