Former South Carolina RB Mario Anderson picks his new college home
Former South Carolina running back Mario Anderson has his new home.
Weeks after unexpectedly entering the transfer portal, Anderson told On3 Sports on Sunday that he’s committed to Memphis.
The Tigers have proved that they can elevate transfer running backs. This time last season, Old Dominion running back Blake Watson transferred to Memphis and rushed for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. That is the hope for Anderson, who is the same height (5-foot-9) and just a little heavier than Watson.
Memphis (9-3), which competes in the American Athletic Conference, will face Iowa State on Dec. 29 in the Liberty Bowl.
Anderson, who officially announced he was entering the transfer portal on Dec. 8, narrowed down a top 4 a few days later that included Memphis, Southern California, Oklahoma and Cal.
Anderson transferred to South Carolina from Division-II Newberry College a year ago and became the Gamecocks’ top running back in 2023. As a senior for the Gamecocks, the 5-foot-9, 208-pound tailback carried the ball 143 times for over 700 yards and four total touchdowns.
Since Anderson entered the transfer portal, South Carolina has had no trouble replacing him, adding transfer running backs Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (Arkansas), Oscar Adaway III (North Texas) and Jawarn Howell (S.C. State). The Gamecocks also have a few returning running backs on the roster, including Djay Braswell and Juju McDowell. They’re expected to sign Matthew Fuller this week as part of the 2024 class.
South Carolina transfers
A look at USC football transfers and where they have ended up
- QB Tanner Bailey
- QB Colten Gauthier
- RB Mario Anderson (Memphis)
- OL JonDarius Morgan (UAB)
- OL Grayson Mains
- WR Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. (Ole Miss)
- WR O’Mega Blake
- WR Landon Samson
- WR Zavier Short
- WR Kylic Horton
- DL Xzavier McLeod
- DL Felix Hixon
- DL D’Andre Martin (Charlotte)
- DL Donovan Westmoreland
- DB Kajuan Banks
- DB Isaiah Norris
- K Mitch Jeter (Notre Dame)
This story was originally published December 17, 2023 at 7:41 PM.
