Mike Bobo on USC’s running back spot: ‘Still a battle’ but one player has stood out
With South Carolina football missing star freshman running back MarShawn Lloyd for the year and junior college transfer Zaquandre White as of late due to injuries, the Gamecocks’ tailback position could hardly be more unsettled two weeks from the season opener against Tennessee.
But USC offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Friday that, at least through the first half of preseason camp, there has been one tailback who’s separated himself from the pack.
“I would say say based off of 15 or 16 practices we’ve had in so far, I would say Kevin Harris has probably been the most consistent running back,” Bobo said.
Harris, a sophomore, played six games last year behind a trio of senior backs who dominated the carries. His most prolific game came against FCS opponent Charleston Southern, where he rumbled for 147 yards on six attempts for three touchdowns.
A 5-foot-10, 225-pound bruising runner, Harris has received praise from Bobo before — after the running game disappointed in the Gamecocks’ first scrimmage, Bobo said Harris had responded with consistency.
On the flip side, Bobo has been complimentary of the talent of redshirt sophomore Deshaun Fenwick and freshman Rashad Amos, but tempered that by saying their performances have been uneven.
White, meanwhile, is an elite athlete who started his career at Florida State. He could very well impact the position this season — but with injuries keeping him off the practice field, Bobo seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
“Deshaun and Amos have both had their days, and hopefully we can see some of Zaquandre on Saturday. He’s been dealing with a little bit of a hamstring issue. He’ll get out there ... and we’ll get to see him some,” Bobo said Friday.
“So I’d say still a battle to say there’s two (top backs). Kevin has been the most consistent, looking for some other guys to be a little bit more consistent, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a running back by committee this year.”
A rotation at running back wouldn’t be new for South Carolina; The Gamecocks haven’t had an 800-yard rusher under coach Will Muschamp.
But Bobo did offer some reason for optimism among Gamecock fans worried about the youth of the running back room, with a freshman like Amos and a combined 64 carries among the returners.
“I’ve always thought running back was easiest to play as a freshman because you’re doing something you’ve done your whole life whether you’re in a wishbone (formation), a wing T, a pro eye, spread — you’re carrying a football and you’re running,” Bobo said.
