South Carolina Football: Gamecock target named state player of the week

South Carolina football has found their starting running back for the 2023 season in Newberry transfer Mario Anderson. If he chooses, he can have another year in garnet and black, as well, as the “Covid redshirt” could give him a 6th year of eligibility.

However, the future at the position is a little less settled than the present. Behind Anderson this season, the Gamecocks are utilizing two other veterans in 6th-year player DK Joyner and junior Juju McDowell. Joyner’s eligibility is exhausted after this season, and McDowell can return for just one more ride in Columbia.

Past those three ‘backs, South Carolina football only has one ball carrier on the roster. True freshman DJay Braswell was a 4-star out of high school and could be in line for a big role next season, but the Gamecocks will need to add more players at the position to the roster.

4-star Matthew Fuller is already committed to Carolina, but USC is expected to try to take another running back in the ’24 cycle.

A long-term target for the Gamecocks at the position has been Mississippi native Daniel Hill. A big, bruising back at 6’1″ and 230 pounds, Hill has been deciding between South Carolina and Alabama (and, somewhat, Tennessee) for a while. He was believed to be committing to the Gamecocks back in August, but he pushed back his commitment announcement, reopening the door for the ‘Tide.

The 4-star Hill was named the state of Mississippi’s High School Player of the Week by an SBLive fan vote. Hill logged 352 yards and 3 touchdowns in Meridian High School’s victory over Petal High School.

Hill is not just a running back, however, as he has been his team’s primary quarterback this season and is a hard-hitting linebacker on the other side of the ball. He also has had experience as a wide receiver.

A multi-time state champion in track and field, as well, Hill is a physical specimen. Not many 230-pounders can move and run like Daniel Hill, and whichever program can land him will be getting a very good player.

South Carolina football (and Alabama and Tennessee) could be waiting a while longer on Hill’s commitment. After postponing his commitment back in August, he has not given a new date for his college announcement.

You can watch some of his film here.