South Carolina football: ZaQuandre White quietly becoming offensive MVP

South Carolina football came into the season with huge expectations at running back. Kevin Harris was returning after leading the SEC in rushing the year prior. Five-star ball carrier MarShawn Lloyd was set to make his Gamecock debut after missing the 2020 season with injury. Juju McDowell joined the team with a ton of hype entering the South Carolina offseason.

One name that wasn’t being mentioned was that of transfer rusher ZaQuandre White. And you can’t necessarily blame anyone for not expecting much from a player that actually finished last year on defense.

But it’s White who’s been the most successful player in a talented South Carolina backfield. He’s been the most consistent runner on the team and has cleaned up some ball security issues that limited his effectiveness in 20202.

With just two games left in the season, it looks as though the starting role is White’s to lose. He currently leads the team in rushing with 462 yards on the ground. He’s added another 114 as a receiver and found the endzone three times.

Patience, teamwork pay off for South Carolina football’s ZaQuandre White

White’s path to South Carolina was one of many roads. After initially signing with Florida State out of high school, he was moved to the defensive side of the ball. White played six games at linebacker that freshman campaign under Jimbo Fisher but transferred to Iowa Western Community College following the conclusion of the year.

There, he switched back to offense and became an All-JUCO performer as a rusher and return man. White averaged more than 100 yards per game on the ground, soon finding himself positioned as the nation’s top running back prospect in the junior college ranks.

He signed with South Carolina as a junior but struggled with fumbles early on. Ball security issues led to a slip down the depth chart as Kevin Harris took over to lead the rushing attack. Not seeing much time on offense, the coaching staff opted to play White at safety following the midseason departure of three members of the secondary.

Many players in this day and age would mope about the move but White’s selfless, team-first attitude has never changed. After transitioning back to the running back room to begin the year, White worked on his ball security issues while becoming a positive leader in the South Carolina locker room.

His patience is now paying dividends as he’s become a mainstay in the Gamecocks’ backfield. He broke out with a 128-yard performance against Eastern Illinois in an opening day start. He’s playing his best football of the year over the team’s last four games of SEC action.

In those four appearances, White has tallied at least 75 total yards including eclipsing the century mark in each of his last two contests. He notched a 111-yard performance in the win over Florida and scored two second half touchdowns last week in the loss to Missouri.

For the year, the senior is averaging more than seven yards a carry and is becoming a consistent receiving threat out of the backfield. Look for the Gamecocks to continue leaning on White in the team’s final two matchups.