Best memories? Any regrets? Tavien Feaster opens up about college career
Tavien Feaster’s college football career was certainly unique.
The former five-star recruit started out at Clemson and helped the Tigers to a pair of national championships before transferring to South Carolina for his senior season.
Feaster led the Gamecocks in rushing in his final year, finishing with 672 yards on 124 carries. He also rushed for five touchdowns. For his college career, Feaster finished with 2,002 yards while averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
Feaster recently spoke with The State about his college career and the 2020 NFL Draft. Here is what he had to say:
What has the draft process been like with no Combine invite and South Carolina having to cancel its pro day?
It’s been kind of crazy. All of your life playing football, you definitely think you’re going to the Combine, but obviously that didn’t happen in my case. But that wasn’t going to stop me. I knew that I had pro day and a lot of people were going to come out and watch me at pro day. But obviously with that getting canceled that definitely was a big shocker. I definitely thought we would make it that far to do the pro day but we didn’t.
It’s steady. I’ve had to be patient with the whole process and just really control what I can control right now, which is me working out, me showing the things that I can do for teams.
Were you surprised to not get an invitation to the NFL Combine, and were teams surprised as well?
Definitely people told me they were surprised of me not getting a Combine invite, but honestly I still don’t know why I didn’t. I haven’t harped on it anymore. It is what it is now, so obviously we can just move on from the situation.
Do you feel like spending your last season at South Carolina helped you?
I believe last year helped me a lot. It taught me a lot about myself. Just work, the environment I was in, the great atmosphere in Columbia. I loved every bit of it.
What is your weight at right now?
I’m about the same as where I ended last year. I got down to about 215 during the season. I’m about 220 right now. I’m going to get down about 5 more pounds to get back to 215 and basically live at that. We may go lower than that. I still haven’t decided yet what’s the best thing for me right now.
When you look back at your college career, what are the moments that stand out to you?
Definitely winning two national championships. I would say that’s at the top of my list. Just the memories of the guys in the locker room, just chilling, just talking with them. My teammates I’m going to remember forever. Definitely my move that I made (to South Carolina). Definitely going down in history.
Both stadiums were electric. I remember my first night game at South Carolina and I was just like, ‘Wow, this place is electric,’ against Kentucky. It was a great game. And I definitely will remember my freshman year the Louisville game. I couldn’t even hear my thoughts with how loud that place was.
Do you have any regrets about how things went, or did you enjoy getting to play for both of the major programs in this state?
Nah, I don’t live with any regrets. I don’t regret anything I did. I did it because it was the best thing for me. It was definitely a blessing getting to play for both programs and I wouldn’t change anything.
Have you talked with some of the Clemson guys getting ready for the draft?
Yeah, of course. The situation didn’t change who I was or who I am. It was just the best situation for me, just like those guys do what’s best for them. They knew it, I knew it and they have respect for me. I have respect for them.
Were you surprised by Travis Etienne’s decision to come back?
Definitely, it was a big surprise. But he’s doing the right thing for him, making his decision. Everybody’s going to make a tough decision someday, and that was the best decision for him. I’m rooting for him to stay healthy and everything and keep balling out of control.
What’s your plan for the draft?
I really don’t have a plan. I know my parents were asking me, but I really don’t have a plan. With this virus I’m not really trying to be around a lot of people.
