With Rocket Sanders gone, South Carolina has experience and youth to fill the gap
A year ago, any competition for South Carolina’s starting running back spot was in name only.
From the moment Rocket Sanders decided to transfer from Arkansas to USC for his last collegiate season, he was no doubt going to be the Gamecocks’ top back.
With Sanders off to the NFL after rushing for almost 900 yards and 11 scores last season, coach Shane Beamer preaching open competition is legit. There is no one in South Carolina’s running back room with the pedigree of Sanders, no one who’s the odds-on favorite to win the job.
Of course, that could end up creating a different dynamic. Perhaps there is no clear-cut No. 1 running back in 2025, but instead a number of guys with different abilities who share the workload. Or maybe someone cements himself as the best back after spring practices or fall camp.
At the moment, the leading candidates appear to be a pair of veterans who, if nothing else, bring loads of experience.
And here’s a fun fact: By November, South Carolina will have two 25-year-old tailbacks.
Yes, in addition to possibly anchoring South Carolina’s rushing attack this year, Oscar Adaway III (born Oct. 17, 2000) and Rahsul Faison (born Feb. 20, 2000) will also be able to rent cars without an additional fee this year. That might be a first in the history of college football.
Regardless, Adaway and Faison will likely both see extensive time in the backfield this season — regardless of which one starts.
Adaway, who transferred from North Texas to South Carolina last year, was a solid backup for Sanders all season but wasn’t able to showcase his ability as an SEC feature back. Then came the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Sanders decided to opt out, giving Adaway his opportunity.
He proved to be quite effective, rushing 14 times for 69 yards — highlighted by an uber-impressive 36-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1 in which he broke a tackle, bounced outside and found daylight.
“We’re really fired up about Oscar,” Beamer said. “He did some nice things in that bowl game. That run that he had on that fourth down was a really, really good run. Did some nice things out of the backfield.”
Indeed. As did Faison — albeit at a much different level. Starring for a Utah State team that finished 4-8 last season, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound former junior-college player transformed into one of the best tailbacks in the Mountain West.
“When you just watch his tape, he brings a threat out of the backfield,” Beamer said. “He brings an ability to not just run with physicality and maybe run you over, but also make you miss out in space.”
Faison rushed for 1,109 yards and 11 touchdowns while eclipsing 100 yards rushing in games against Utah, Boise State and three other squads. He was all set to leave for Orlando and start prepping for the NFL Draft when the NCAA passed the Pavia Rule — which gave former JUCO products, like Faison, another year in college.
He jumped at it, eventually committing to a place where he feels he can play immediately.
“(The USC coaches) basically told me I have an opportunity to come be the guy,” Faison told The State. “Obviously they have a lot of young guys, but come in the room, learn from each other and may the best man win.”
Those “young guys” include redshirt freshman Matthew Fuller and redshirt sophomore Jawarn Howell, who transferred to USC after a sensational freshman season with South Carolina State.
Perhaps one of them could make a leap and contend for a starting job. If not, it seems reasonable to think both — having already used their redshirts — will see increased action in 2025.
“We’re really fired up about Jawarn Howell,” Beamer said. “You guys saw some of that in the bowl game (where Howell rushed five times for 31 yards.) … And then Matthew Fuller, a young guy who we think has a big upside.”
Without the surefire starting tailback, South Carolina’s rushing attack alongside quarterback LaNorris Sellers will look much different. Seeing if experience or youth wins out will be the fun part.
This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM.
