South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-15 Greatest Running Backs of All-Time

The SEC has a rich history of excellent running backs, and the South Carolina football program has had its fair share of elite rock toters. Even prior to entering the conference in 1992, the Gamecocks relied heavily on the ground game. With a talented incoming recruiting class that includes highly-regarded back DJay Braswell and an even better class expected in 2024, maybe a new name could be added to this list in the near future.

Honorable Mentions

Mike Davis: The original Mike Davis (2005-2008) was a freshman on Steve Spurrier’s first team in Columbia and became a contributor immediately. A bruising back who was also a good receiver out of the backfield, Davis finished his career with almost 3000 yards from scrimmage despite spending most of his career in a timeshare with Cory Boyd. The “OG” as he is affectionately known by some Gamecock fans, rushed for over 100 yards against Clemson as a freshman and scored two touchdowns against the Tigers as a sophomore in 2006.

Andrew Pinnock: A combo running back and fullback, Andrew Pinnock (1999-2002) was a touchdown machine for the Gamecocks. Pinnock is fourth on the all-time rushing touchdown list at the University of South Carolina. Pinnock was a load to bring down for defensive players and routinely performed best late in games after he had worn down the defense. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers and had a six-year NFL career.

Johnnie Wright: George Rogers’ backup for most of his collegiate career, Johnnie Wright (1977-1981) was a good back in his own (W)right. Despite playing behind Rogers for so long, he still managed to score 16 touchdowns for the Gamecocks. After leaving the University of South Carolina, Wright followed his backfield-mate Rogers to the NFL where he had a short stint with the Baltimore Colts.

Ryan Brewer: Ryan Brewer (1999-2002) did a little bit of everything for the Gamecocks as a running back, fullback, receiver, and returner for Coach Lou Holtz. Known for his toughness and receiving acumen, he did whatever his team needed him to do to win. An Ohio native, Brew almost never lit up the box score, but he saved his best performance for Ohio State in the Outback Bowl against the Buckeyes when he had over 200 scrimmage yards and scored three times. He briefly played with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens before heading overseas to play in NFL Europe.

Troy Hambrick: Troy Hambrick (1996-1998) began his career as Duce Staley’s backup and then split carries with fellow back Boo Williams and quarterback Anthony Wright on some teams that struggled to move the ball. Hambrick was the first freshman in school history to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games and joined Staley as only the second duo to rush for 100 yards in the same contest. He was underutilized with the Gamecocks, and disciplinary issues led to his dismissal from the team. He eventually made his way to the NFL for a short stay in the League.

Brandon Wilds: Brandon Wilds (2011-2015) never entered a season as the feature back, but he was talented and filled in very well when other backs got injured. After Marcus Lattimore got hurt in 2011, a freshman Wilds had over 600 yards of offense in half a season of work. Shon Carson and David Williams were expected to be the lead backs in 2015, but Wilds outplayed them both to regain the top spot. Despite his limited usage as a Gamecock, he racked up almost 2400 scrimmage yards and 16 touchdowns and had a brief run in the NFL with six different franchises.

Mike Dingle: Another back who could find the end zone, Mike Dingle (1988-1990) crossed the goal line 18 times in three seasons despite being the second back behind, at different times, Harold Green and Rob DeBoar. Dingle was a big back who also played some fullback and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, with whom he had a brief two-year career at the professional level.

Billy Gambrell: A do-it-all type of back, Billy Gambrell (1960-1962) never put up a ton of stats but did exactly what Coach Marvin Bass asked of him. Did the Gamecocks need Gambrell to run the ball that day? He ran hard. Did the Gamecocks need Gambrell to catch the ball against the defense they were facing? He caught the ball well. Did the Gamecocks need Gambrell to block for other backs? He blocked tough. A Gamecock through and through, the undersized player with a big heart went on to a nine-year career in the NFL, primarily as a wide receiver.

Rob DeBoar: Rob DeBoar (1990-1993) was another fullback/running back combo for the Gamecocks. DeBoar had a statically productive freshman year that saw him total about 750 yards on over 5 yards per carry and six touchdowns. His stats dropped off after the 1990 season, but DeBoar remained an important part of the offense, both as a rusher and as a blocker for other backs. He also played on the South Carolina baseball team.

Derek Watson: Derek “Squeaky” Watson (1999-2001) was as talented as any back to come through Carolina. Watson was not overly fast but was extremely…well, squeaky…as he used his good vision to slip past defenses. He exploded for 1250 scrimmage yards as a sophomore in 2000. Watson returned a punt for a touchdown and also took two kicks to the house both called back by penalties. Ultimately, disciplinary issues piled up, and Waton was dismissed from the team. He spent two years in the NFL.

Jay Lynn Hodgin: Jay Lynn Hodgin (1972-1974) spent three seasons in garnet and black. He had a nose for the end zone that saw him score over 20 touchdowns and rush for almost 2500 yards. Hodgin played in a run-heavy system that utilized his tough-nosed north and south style of running to perfection. Hodgin is in the top-10 in multiple rushing categories in South Carolina Gamecock history.

Kent Hagood: Kent Hagood (1981-1984) spent most of his career as the backup to Thomas Dendy. Hagood, though, was a very good football player who performed well during his opportunities. Even though he shared the backfield with Dendy, as well as Johnnie Wright, Todd Berry, Anthony Smith, and Quinton Lewis, Hagood finished his career with over 2000 yards rushing and exactly 2500 scrimmage yards to go with 18 total touchdowns.

South Carolina Football’s No. 15 and No. 14 Running Backs of All-Time:
Clarence Williams and Kevin Long

A dynamic rushing duo, Kevin Long (1974-1976) and Clarence Williams (1974-1976) could not be mentioned separately. Totaling almost equal career statistics (445 carries for 2369 yards for Long and 440 carries for 2311 yards for Williams), the running back tandem each gained over 1000 yards on the ground in 1975 despite ceding carries to their star quarterback Jeff Grantz, as well.

They were the first Carolina backs to reach the 1000-yard mark in a season. Long played more fullback than running back for the Gamecocks but carried the ball as often as a typical tailback would. When he didn’t get the ball, he was usually blocking for Williams, Grantz, or 1976 quarterback Ron Bass. Both Long and Williams were drafted in the 1977 NFL Draft.

South Carolina Football’s No. 13 Running Back of All-Time:
Stanley Pritchett

A hybrid fullback/running back, Stanley Pritchett (1992-1995) did not see any time in the backfield during his freshman campaign but became a very important all-around contributor to the offense for Head Coaches Sparky Woods and Brad Scott.

Pritchett was an excellent blocker (he even became a full-time fullback in the NFL), a good runner, and possessed great hands out of the backfield. He finished his career with over 1000 yards rushing and receiving, one of only two Gamecock backs to ever accomplish this feat. Pritchett was drafted in the 1996 NFL Draft where he played for nine seasons.

South Carolina Football’s No. 12 Running Back of All-Time:
Rico Dowdle

Rico Dowdle (2016-2019) is a bit of a “what if” story. He put together a very strong freshman season that was bookended by injuries that limited him to only nine games. The following season saw him play in eight games, but he also left several of those contests with injuries. During his final two seasons, Dowdle split time with Ty’Son Williams and Tavien Feaster in an effort to keep him healthy.

When he was able to stay on the field, he was very productive (2650 scrimmage yards and 19 touchdowns), but fans can’t help but wonder how great he could have been if completely healthy. After graduation, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys where he still plays today.

South Carolina Football’s No. 11 Running Back of All-Time:
Kevin Harris

After seeing limited action as a freshman, Kevin Harris (2019-2021) had one of the most exciting rushing seasons in South Carolina football history in 2020. In the Covid-shortened, all-SEC schedule, Harris still rushed for over 1100 yards and scored 16 touchdowns on his way to leading the conference in rushing.

His final year was solid but not spectacular, but he did have an outstanding final game as a Gamecock, a 182-yard thrashing of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. That effort doesn’t even crack the top-3 performances for Harris, however, as he had three career games with 200 yards from scrimmage, including a 243-yard, 5-touchdown performance against Ole Miss. Harris now plays for the New England Patriots.

South Carolina Football’s No. 10 Running Back of All-Time:
Thomas Dendy

Thomas Dendy (1982-1985) was a solid back for four years at South Carolina, including being the lead back on the “Black Magic” 1984 team. During that season’s big win over the Florida State Seminoles, Dendy went 57 yards for a touchdown on a play that some call the “Dendy Spindy.”

The Hillcrest High School alum is fifth all-time in career rushing yards and scored 25 touchdowns in his career, even though another good back in Kent Hagood ate into his touches for three of his four seasons in Columbia. Dendy was drafted in the twelfth round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

South Carolina Football’s No. 9 Running Back of All-Time:
Cory Boyd

One of only two Gamecocks with 1000 rushing yards and 1000 receiving yards along with Stanley Pritchett, Cory Boyd (2003-2007) was one of the most well-rounded backs in the history of the South Carolina football program. Seldom used as a freshman or sophomore, Boyd still managed to find the end zone eight times before being suspended for a year for a violation of team rules. Most players transfer or quit when faced with long suspensions, but not Boyd.

#3 bounced back in a tremendous way, taking the starting running back job from incumbent Mike Davis (the “OG”) and putting together over 2500 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final two years as a Gamecock. His 2006 run after the catch against Middle Tennessee State (video above) is one of the best non-touchdowns you’ll ever see. Boyd spent a season in the NFL after graduating.

South Carolina Football’s No. 8 Running Back of All-Time:
Duce Staley

Duce Staley (1995-1996) is a Columbia legend. One of the best Columbia-area high school players ever during his career at Airport High School, Staley spent time at a junior college before returning home to tote the rock for South Carolina. In just two seasons in Columbia, Staley managed to accrue over 2000 yards and 19 touchdowns, thanks to 1300 yards and a dominant performance against Clemson in 1996.

Duuuuuucccccceeeeee calls became almost as commonplace as the rooster crow in Williams-Brice as he became one of the most popular Gamecocks ever. An all-SEC back, Staley was selected in the 1997 NFL Draft and played for 10 years for the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers before getting into coaching. He is currently the Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach for the Carolina Panthers.

South Carolina Football’s No. 7 Running Back of All-Time:
Mike Davis

Mike Davis (2012-2014) was sometimes called “Mike Davis 2.0” during his Gamecock career, but he was anything but a copy of the first Mike Davis. #28 had speed to burn in the open field and was a strong runner through contact, as well. Davis was at his best in 2013 as he posted seven different 100-yard performances, all against good competition.

Somewhat underappreciated because he followed the great Marcus Lattimore, Davis left school after his junior year as a top-10 Gamecock rusher in both rushing yards and touchdowns and in career receptions by running backs. Davis is still in the NFL, heading into his ninth season as a pro.

South Carolina Football’s No. 6 Running Back of All-Time:
Warren Muir

Warren Muir (1967-1969) played in an era when freshmen could not play varsity football. Because his career was only three seasons, some of his numbers aren’t as high as others on this list. The lead back for South Carolina’s only conference championship team, Muir was typically utilized as a fullback. He put together over 2000 rushing yards, 500 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns during his tenure in garnet and black.

He was a strong runner who was voted onto two All-ACC teams and two All-American teams in his career, starting a list of Carolina two-time All-Americans that only added George Rogers and Jadeveon Clowney. Muir did not average a high amount of yards per carry (just under 4.3 yards) but was a workhorse who led the ACC in touchdowns in 1969 and had his best career performances against rivals Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

South Carolina Football’s No. 5 Running Back of All-Time:
Steve Wadiak

The original running back great at the University of South Carolina, Steve “The Cadillac” Wadiak (1948-1951) lived up to his nickname as a big, physical runner who still moved smoothly in the open field. Wadiak led the Gamecocks in rushing for three seasons and did not lose to Clemson in his three years as the lead back. In 1950, he dominated the undefeated Tigers to the tune of 256 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The following season as the team’s captain, the Gamecocks would shut out Clemson 20-0, and Wadiak (while nursing broken ribs) iced the game away with tough carries that ran out the clock. Wadiak graduated as the team’s all-time leader in every rushing statistic and is fourth in career rushing yards and is one of just seven Gamecock running backs with over 3000 yards from scrimmage. Wadiak’s #37 jersey was retired after his untimely death at age 24.

South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Running Back of All-Time:
Brandon Bennett

Brandon Bennett (1991-1994) was the epitome of steady during his career at South Carolina. Bennett never missed a game during his four years in Columbia, finishing his collegiate career with almost 4000 yards of total offense. A broad-shouldered back who often wore a cowboy collar, Bennett was an intimidating force in garnet and black.

His most famous moment came on the road in Athens. Famed broadcasters Bob Fulton (South Carolina) and Larry Munson (Georgia) both called Bennett’s “Over the Top” leap in iconic fashion with Fulton and color analyst Tommy Moody yelling “who cares?!” about a fifteen-yard excessive celebration penalty and Munson lamenting how Bennett “broke our hearts.” Big #33 spent a decade in the NFL after graduation.

South Carolina Football’s No. 3 Running Back of All-Time:
Harold Green

Harold Green (1986-1989) is one of just two Gamecocks with 3000 yards on the ground and is tied for second with 31 rushing touchdowns and 33 total offensive touchdowns. In his senior season against Duke, Green had one of the most impressive runs in Gamecock history (in video above), breaking tackles from half the defense on his way to the end zone.

After graduating from South Carolina, Green was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He had a nine-year NFL career that included a Pro Bowl selection in 1992 before the Bengals’ struggles as a team put a damper on Green’s career trajectory.

South Carolina Football’s No. 2 Running Back of All-Time:
Marcus Lattimore

The back with the best vision of anyone on this list, Marcus Lattimore (2010-2012) was so good in garnet and black. Nicknamed “A Bulldog’s Worst Nightmare” for his big performances against Georgia (over 500 yards of offense and 4 touchdowns in three games), Lattimore was the go-to running back for Steve Spurrier from the time he got on campus. Unfortunately, Lattimore’s career was hampered and eventually cut short by serious knee injuries.

Despite missing 11 games in three seasons (and exiting a few more) due to his injuries, Lattimore totaled almost 3500 yards of total offense and 41 touchdowns, which is a school record. A good person as well as a good football player, Lattimore was drafted by the San Fransisco 49ers but was never able to see the field as his injuries never fully healed.

South Carolina Football’s Greatest Running Back of All-Time:
George Rogers

George Rogers (1977-1980) is the clear choice for the greatest running back in Gamecock history. He won the 1980 Heisman Trophy as college football’s most dominant player and was subsequently picked with the first overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft where he was a first-team All-Pro as a rookie.

While at the University of South Carolina, Rogers scored 33 touchdowns and tallied almost 5500 yards of total offense, including over 3600 yards and 23 touchdowns during his junior and senior years.

Often found around Williams-Brice Stadium on gameday, “Big George” or “King George” as he is known around town is almost as well known for his enormous smile and joyful heart as he is for the trophy he won over forty years ago (though he doesn’t mind taking pictures with his award). Transcending his role as just a football player, Rogers now works with partnering foster parents with children in need.