South Carolina is still stuck in limbo over Rahsul Faison’s eligibility, with the NCAA yet to issue a decision after eight months of waiting. The clock is ticking toward the Aug. 31 season opener, and if the transfer running back isn’t cleared, it would be a significant blow to the Gamecocks — especially since he was expected to step into Rocket Sanders’ role.
In the meantime, the team is preparing for life without Faison, if necessary. One of their fallback options is a veteran who’s no stranger to being the lead back.
“I attack every year like it’s my last,” said senior running back Oscar Adaway III. “I attack like I’m going to get those carries in the preseason, regular season, summer, spring. I attack it all like that just so I can be prepared for it.”
Of the backs in South Carolina’s room, Adaway brings the most experience. Before transferring in last year, he spent four seasons at North Texas, averaging 113 carries over his final three seasons there. Entering his seventh year of college football, he embraces his “old head” status.
“Everybody is looking at me like, ‘Bro, what up, unc?’ And I’m like, ‘Psh.’ But I accept it. I just go out there and just do what I can do and just try to improve, get better and better and better every single day.”
Last season, Adaway served as South Carolina’s backup, posting 77 carries for 295 yards and three touchdowns. His biggest moment came in the Citrus Bowl against Illinois, when Sanders opted out. Adaway responded with over 100 all-purpose yards, including a 36-yard touchdown run — all while playing hurt.
“I was in a boot, like three days prior,” Adaway revealed. “Then, right before we did Gamecock Walk, I was in a boot. I took my boot off just so I could walk. … I had to take medicine and everything just to get out there and be what I was.”
Now fully healthy, Adaway believes fans haven’t seen his best yet. He’s dropped his body fat from 11% to around 8–9% and has been clocked running 21–22 mph.
“I knew I had to get faster, I had to get stronger, because I know it’s gonna be a lot of load on me this year,” he said. “It’s been good. Coach (Mike) Shula sees it, and it’s a good thing when you put a lot of work in and somebody sees it.”
Adaway hopes Faison gets the green light to play, but if not, he’s ready to shoulder the responsibility.
“It’s a blessing and an honor just to come out here and run football for the University of South Carolina,” Adaway said. “It’s different running for that ‘C’ with a Gamecock in the middle of it. I want to give it all. My 130 percent, 127 percent, everything.”
