As the South Carolina Gamecocks start fall camp next week, there are several position battles to be sorted out. One of those is at running back, and the unit will be led by new coach Stan Drayton in 2026. Â
As for the biggest names on South Carolina's running back depth chart, the group is headlined by returning starter Matt Fuller. Behind Rahsul Faison last year, Fuller finished the season with 260 yards rushing on 72 carries, including two touchdowns. After spring football a few months ago, Fuller appeared to be the leader of the group.Â
But as South Carolina is preparing to start fall camp, new Gamecocks offensive Kendal Briles expressed a desire to play two reliable running backs, instead of just one. Also in the Gamecocks' running back room is Texas transfer Christian Clark.Â
"I think you would always prefer to have that," Briles said via Gamecocks 247 on Thursday. "That means you have an elite player that you can trust. If you run the ball, he does well in pass pro, you don't have to sub a guy to handle both things. Coach Drayton has coached incredible backs all throughout his career. He's got what we feel like are five really good running backs in the room. We'll continue to work those guys and let them go through fall camp."Â
Clark is a talented running back, who started his career at Texas but it never really got off the ground. He suffered a torn achilles his true freshman season in 2024, and saw behind Quentravion Wisner on the depth chart. He still managed to finish last season with 236 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Coming out of high school, Clark was a four-star running back rated as the No. 6 overall player from his home state of Arizona.Â
Also vying for reps this season will be junior Isaiah Augustave, Penn State transfer Jabree Coleman and redshirt junior Jawarn Howell. As for what Coach Drayton is looking for out of his group heading into fall camp, he told the media he has yet to see a player take true ownership at running back.Â
 "We're definitely a backfield that's got some depth, got some talent. That won't be an issue for us," Drayton said, also via 247. "But I'm still waiting for somebody to get some hair on their chest and take ownership of that position."
Drayton spent last season at Penn State, where he oversaw two talented running backs in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. He spent 2022-2024 as Temple's head coach, but was fired after going 9-25 as a head coach. But his reputation as a running backs coach is quite strong, previously coaching at Texas from 2017-2021, with the Chicago Bears and Ohio State Buckeyes.Â
The Gamecocks' offense last year finished 119th in the country in rushing offense, averaging just 111 yards per game. With a rebuilt offensive line, headlined by offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak, having a successful run game paired with LaNorris Sellers' passing game will be critical in Columbia if the Gamecocks want to make a bowl game.Â
Latest injury status of Jacarrius Peak, Dylan Stewart as South Carolina fall camp looms
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