South Carolina RB emotional but hopeful as NCAA decision still in limbo

South Carolina football is still waiting on a critical eligibility ruling for Utah State transfer Rahsul Faison as the 2025 season approaches.
South Carolina 2025 Garnet And Black Spring Game
South Carolina 2025 Garnet And Black Spring Game | Katie Januck/GettyImages

Still waiting...

South Carolina's backfield remains in limbo as the 2025 quickly approaches, and that uncertainty centers around one name: Rahsul Faison. The Gamecocks are still waiting on the NCAA to approve a waiver that would allow the Utah State transfer to suit up this fall, and the patience is growing thin.

Faison had initially been preparing to go pro, as he had earned multiple invites to postseason all-star games and was on the radar of NFL scouts. But after entering the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately deciding to commit to South Carolina, the NCAA hit the pause button on his football journey, denying his initial eligibility request.

The issue? His non-playing years.

Faison did not play in 2020 at Lackawanna Community College or in 2021 while enrolled at Marshall. He later returned to JUCO at Snow College before transferring to Utah State for two seasons. His appeal is similar to that of Vanderbilt's QB1 Deigo Pavia, who was granted an extra year of eligibility.

Faison recently spoke to On3's Pete Nakos about the emotional toll the uncertainty has taken on him:

“It makes me nervous, just because I’ve worked so hard to get to where I’m at today,” he said. “If I get the waiver, it’s a life-changing opportunity… just being able to play this season could change everything. It’s definitely stressful, especially coming from my background. I have a lot of family depending on me.”

The demands for a decision has been loud and clear across social media from fans and media, alike. Even Faison himself, has posted about his frustration in waiting.

In the meantime, as Faison, the coaching staff, and Gamecock Nation anxiously awaits an answer, Faison is practicing with the team. But he is also preparing for both realities: one where he gets to play in garnet and black, and one where he enters the 2026 NFL Draft without another college snap.

The clock is ticking...and for a South Carolina program is desperate need of depth in the RB room, the decision can't come fast enough.