South Carolina Gamecocks Backfield In Good Shape

Without a doubt, running back Mike Davis was the one who got it done for the South Carolina running game. While rushing for 2,440 yards and 22 touchdowns in three seasons at South Carolina, Davis will surely be missed. But since he has moved on to the NFL, where does that leave the Gamecocks running game?

There is actually an abundance of talent and experience behind the former running back starting with the fifth-year senior, Brandon Wilds. Rushing for 1277 yards on 256 carries and averaging a good 5 yards per carry since playing for the Gamecocks behind Davis, there is good reason to suspect that Brandon Wilds will be the starting running back this season. He has made 11 starts and has recorded four 100-yard rushing games in his career. While playing his part as a Gamecock running back, Wilds has shown time and time again that he can carry the load and handle the pressure. He has stepped up in the past every time he was needed, from taking over when Marcus Lattimore went down, to Mike Davis missing games due to injuries.

Very talented sophomore running back David Williams will provide relief for Wilds as the projected number two. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, Williams was able to rush for 256 yards and score two touchdowns on just 45 carries. Keeping it on the ground and rushing forward isn’t the only thing that Williams can do, he can also catch. With only seven receptions last year, he managed to pull in 99 yards. Utilizing Williams with both the passing game and running game will benefit the Gamecocks greatly.

With Brandon Wilds and David Williams in the back field, with a little mix of Shon Carson and even some other contributors, it should ease the load of the new starting quarterback. Considering the quarterbacks on the South Carolina roster have little to no experience, getting all the help they can get from the backfield will be crucial if the Gamecocks want to win games. Connor Mitch is the projected starter at quarterback for now, but with incoming freshman Lorenzo Nunez coming in, the competition is fierce. South Carolina has a history of having strong running backs, and it seems they will continue to be strong in that area for this upcoming season as well.