Why Jacksonville is the right fit for South Carolina product Tavien Feaster
Tavien Feaster went undrafted following his senior season at South Carolina. After that, all the running back wanted was a chance.
Feaster is getting that chance with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who signed the Spartanburg native in April. Feaster is leaving for Jacksonville on Friday and will begin workouts with the team next week. He is thankful the Jaguars were willing to give him a shot.
“To be honest with you, the draft is what it is. I asked for an opportunity, not the red carpet,” Feaster said at a drive-by community event he hosted in Spartanburg over the weekend. “I’m blessed with the opportunity to get out there and play and show my skills. I’m ready.”
Feaster had several teams reach out to him after going undrafted before opting to sign with the Jaguars.
He will be a part of a group of several backs battling to back up star Leonard Fournette. Feaster is one of three rookie running backs Jacksonville added this offseason, joining fellow undrafted free agents Nathan Cottrell of Georgia Tech and James Robinson of Illinois State.
“We had a lot of teams reach out, and during the process we just decided (Jacksonville) was the best place for me to go compete for a spot,” Feaster said. “It’s a good team to go down there and play for, great weather in the state of Florida, and I’m going to compete.”
Feaster spent the first three years of his college career at Clemson before transferring to South Carolina for his final season. He rushed for a team-high 672 yards and five touchdowns for the Gamecocks in 2019, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
Feaster has no regrets about the way his college career played out after arriving at Clemson as the top all-purpose running back in the country. He believes he will be able to showcase his all-purpose ability in the National Football League.
“It’s not really too much I can’t do. I’ve got great speed, great size, great hands,” Feaster said.
While Feaster is confident, he also knows he has to go out and prove himself day in and day out. As an undrafted free agent, Feaster’s spot on the roster is far from guaranteed.
Feaster has spoken with some former teammates and friends currently playing in the NFL about what to expect.
“You wanna know the biggest difference? They can send you home. So for me I’m not trying to go home. It’s a go-hard or go-home mentality. When I step on the field every day I’m going to give it all I’ve got,” Feaster said. “I talked to the veterans in the room that have been there. They gave me some real advice, how to stay there. It is a business but at the same time it’s football. You’ve just got to go out there and perform.”
