South Carolina Football: Another transfer portal target has announced his commitment to the Gamecocks

South Carolina football running backs coach Montario Hardesty didn't have much left in his running back room this time last week. 2023 starter Mario Anderson had just entered the transfer portal unexpectedly, do-it-all player Dakereon Joyner was out of eligibility, and only scatback Juju McDowell and freshman Djay Braswell remained.

That seems like a lifetime ago.

Since that time, in addition to picking up several other transfer portal players, the Gamecocks secured commitments from portal backs Oscar Adaway (North Texas) and Rocket Sanders (Arkansas).

On Thursday evening, a third running back became the 7th public transfer portal commitment for the South Carolina football program as Jawarn Howell announced he would be playing for the Gamecocks next year.

The South Carolina State Bulldogs defection will be moving from Orangeburg up I-26 West a little less than an hour and will spend the next three years of his collegiate career in Columbia.

As a player, Howell is a high-upside running back who is a nice combination of size and explosion. With 6 plays of 40 yards or more in just 112 touches, the 215-pound Howell has the ability to run away from the defense if given some space by his offensive line.

In total, the North Carolina native rushed for over 800 yards on just 102 carries in 2023, and his 7.9 yards per carry was the 2nd-best number in all of FCS football. He added about 150 yards receiving, as well, meaning he averaged over 100 yards in his 9 games this fall.

His best game last season as a freshman was a 283-yard demolition of the Howard Bison. He left that game with an injury and didn't return the final few games of the year, but it is believed that he will be ready for next year.

According to South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer, an 8th player commitment is still out there but has not revealed himself.