Running backs preview: Davis, Wilds lead the pack

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The post-Marcus Lattimore Era, which South Carolina has practiced for in each of the past two seasons, begins in earnest this year.

The Gamecocks will begin their first season since 2009 without the running back from Duncan who became the 2010 national freshman of the year and left Columbia as the all-time leader in touchdowns (41).

“I think we are ready,” running backs coach Everette Sands said. “Marcus was a tremendous back, there is no doubt about it, but I am pretty confident in our guys.”

This year’s “guys” at running back start with sophomores Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds.

“They have both had great offseasons,” Sands said. “Mike was the starter coming out of spring, so he’s the starter going into fall. Brandon is not far behind. I am anxious to get them both out on the field.”

Sands might not name a starter for the Aug. 29 season opener against North Carolina until Aug. 27, and he’d be comfortable with Davis and Wilds getting equal carries throughout the season, he said.

Davis (5-foot-9, 215 pounds) had 52 carries for 275 yards last year and became South Carolina’s No. 2 tailback after Lattimore was lost to a knee injury. (Lattimore also missed half of the 2011 season because of a knee injury.) His best game came against UAB, when he had four carries for 84 yards.

Wilds (6-2, 223) took over as the starter following Lattimore’s 2011 injury and rushed for more than 100 yards against Tennessee, Florida and The Citadel. He entered 2012 as the No. 2 tailback but suffered a severely sprained ankle during camp that forced him to sit out the season.

“I am going to see who has the hot hand and ride that pony,” Sands said.

Davis and Wilds also could appear in the backfield together, Sands said.

Sands probably will have to carve out some carries for sophomore Shon Carson, who was one of the team’s most promising newcomers three years ago. Carson signed out of Lake City and immediately won the job as Lattimore’s top backup in 2011. However, he tore an ACL in the second game of his career and missed the remainder of that season. A wrist injury during fall camp last year kept him off the field in 2012. Carson (5-8, 219) provides a change of pace from Davis and Wilds with an extra element of quickness and speed.

“He is definitely an explosive young man,” Sands said. “My conversations with him, I think he is definitely ready to get back out there.”

Incoming freshman David Williams, a four-star prospect out of Philadelphia also could push for playing time.

“I am anxious to see Shon Carson, those freshmen as well, see what they can do,” Sands said.

RUNNING BACKS OUTLOOK

WHO’S BACK

Sophomores Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds are vying for the starting job at tailback. Sophomore Shon Carson returns from the baseball team after missing all but one game the past two seasons because of injury (knee and wrist). Junior Connor McLaurin, a walk-on converted from linebacker, has nailed down the fullback job.

WHO’S GONE

Marcus Lattimore. One of the most important players in school history gave up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he is rehabilitating the knee injury that cost him the final four games of last season. Kenny Miles took over when Lattimore went down and also has moved on. Miles started six games and ran for 359 yards.

BEST BATTLE

Davis and Wilds have matched each other nearly step for step throughout spring practice and the offseason program. The two backs were among South Carolina’s most impressive weight room performers throughout the summer, strength coach Joe Connolly said.

KEY QUESTION

Can the Gamecocks replace Lattimore’s leadership? The past two seasons, Lattimore was as important in the example he set as in the yards he compiled, maybe moreso. No one player will replace that, but this group needs to shoulder some of the load.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Incoming freshman David Williams plans to play this season. He has impressive credentials — a four-star recruiting ranking and 1,904 rushing yards as a high school senior — but he faces a backfield crowded with more experienced players.

This story was originally published August 1, 2013 at 9:47 PM.