Honestly, if you've followed South Carolina football for more than a week, you know the running back position is basically a soap opera with pads. One year we’re watching a Heisman winner like George Rogers steamroll people, and the next, we're staring at a depth chart wondering who on earth is actually going to take the first snap. It’s a grind. It’s unpredictable. And as we sit here in early 2026, the running back south carolina conversation has shifted from "How do we replace Rocket Sanders?" to "Who among these new portal faces is actually the guy?"
Raheim "Rocket" Sanders was the heart of the 2024 offense. He was a beast. When he left for the NFL—eventually finding his way to the Cleveland Browns after a stint with the Chargers—it left a massive, 225-pound hole in the backfield. Coach Shane Beamer didn't just sit around, though. He went shopping.
The 2026 Portal Blitz: Sam Williams-Dixon and Jabree Coleman
The transfer portal is a chaotic place. It's like speed dating but with millions of dollars in NIL and playoff hopes on the line. Just this month, January 2026, the Gamecocks landed two massive pieces that have completely flipped the room's outlook.
First, you’ve got Sam Williams-Dixon. He’s coming in from Ohio State. Now, look, he didn’t get a ton of run in Columbus—mostly because the Buckeyes' depth chart is always a logjam of four and five-star talent. But the kid has juice. At 5'10" and 210 pounds, he’s built like a bowling ball with a turbo button. He chose Columbia because he wants to be the guy, not just a relief valve for a future first-rounder.
Then there’s Jabree Coleman. This one feels personal for the staff. Coleman was a big-time recruit for Penn State back in 2025. He didn't see the field much as a true freshman up north, but he’s following his former position coach, Stan Drayton, to South Carolina. Drayton is the new assistant head coach and RB guru in Columbia, and having that pre-existing relationship is huge. Coleman is a bigger back—6'0", 212 pounds—and he’s got that "between-the-tackles" nastiness that SEC West (well, old SEC West) defenses used to hate.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Current Roster
Everyone talks about the shiny new transfers. It's natural. We love the new toys. But people are sleeping on the guys who stayed.
Jawarn Howell is the name you need to remember. He’s a redshirt junior now, and his journey has been weird, to say the least. He started at South Carolina State, tore up the MEAC, and then came over to the big stage. In 2025, he was buried on the depth chart for months. It was frustrating to watch. Then, suddenly, in the final three games of the season, he gets the start and starts ripping off 5.7 yards per carry.
He’s 225 pounds of pure north-south power. If Coleman and Williams-Dixon are the lightning, Howell is the thunder that's already been in the building.
The Returning Rotation (Sorta)
- Matthew Fuller: A redshirt freshman who a lot of scouts think is a future star. He’s got that "it" factor but needs the reps.
- Isaiah Augustave: The Arkansas transfer who’s been in the mix for a bit. He’s reliable, but is he a "take over the game" type of back? We'll see.
- The Depth Pieces: Names like Bradley Dunn and Nathan Harris-Waynick provide that veteran "I've seen it all" presence in the film room.
Why the George Rogers Shadow Still Matters
You can’t talk about a running back south carolina without mentioning George Rogers. It’s the law. In 1980, he ran for 1,781 yards. That’s insane. Even with the extra games we play now, that mark is a mountain most backs can't even see the top of.
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The problem is, since Marcus Lattimore—who was arguably the most beloved Gamecock ever—the production has been... spotty. We’ve had flashes. Kevin Harris had that monster 1,138-yard season in 2020. Mike Davis was a tank in 2013. But the consistency hasn't been there.
That’s why Beamer is so aggressive in the portal. He knows that in the SEC, if you can't run the ball when the defense knows you're going to run the ball, you’re dead. Especially with a young quarterback like LaNorris Sellers needing that security blanket.
The Stan Drayton Factor
Bringing in Stan Drayton might be the smartest move Beamer has made in three years. Drayton isn't just a recruiter; he’s a developer. He’s coached guys like Ezekiel Elliott and Jordan Howard. He knows what an NFL back looks like.
When Coleman committed a few days ago, he basically said he was coming for Drayton. That’s the kind of gravitational pull the Gamecocks have lacked at the position recently. It changes the "vibe" of the room from a group of guys competing for touches to a professional workshop.
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Looking Ahead: What Really Happens in 2026?
So, who wins the job?
If I'm betting today? It’s a three-man committee to start.
Williams-Dixon is too versatile to keep off the field; he catches the ball out of the backfield better than anyone else on the roster. Howell has the experience in the system. Coleman has the highest ceiling. It’s a "good problem" to have, but it can also lead to a lack of rhythm.
South Carolina fans should expect a lot of rotation in September. By the time they hit the meat of the SEC schedule in October, one of these guys—likely Williams-Dixon or Coleman—will need to emerge as the 20-carry-a-game workhorse.
Actionable Insights for the Season:
- Watch the Spring Game: Keep an eye on the pass protection. That’s usually what keeps talented transfer RBs on the bench early in the season.
- Monitor the O-Line: The Gamecocks added Jacarrius Peak and Dayne Arnett from the portal to fix the blocking. A running back is only as good as the hole he's running through.
- Sellers' Influence: LaNorris Sellers is a running threat himself. This actually helps the RBs because linebackers have to freeze for a split second to account for the QB, opening up lanes for the dive.
The running back south carolina situation is finally looking stable after a few years of "hold your breath" depth charts. It’s not just about finding the next George Rogers; it’s about having four guys who can punish a defense for four quarters. For the first time in a while, the Gamecocks might actually have that.
Next Steps for Gamecock Fans:
Keep an eye on the February signing day for any late-cycle high school additions. While the portal has filled the immediate needs, Shane Beamer usually likes to have one "project" back with elite speed to develop under Stan Drayton's watch. Check the official roster updates in March to see which of the new transfers has already made the "Power Hour" weight gain list.