Shane Beamer impressed by South Carolina running backs in spring game

South Carolina needs more out of its running backs coming off of an abysmal performance this past season. The Gamecocks ranked last in the SEC and 129th in the country with just 85.1 rushing yards per game, one of only 11 teams in the FBS that failed to average 100.

They added Arkansas transfer Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who ranked second in the SEC with 1,443 yards rushing in 2022. Sanders played in only six games this past season due to injury and missed South Carolina’s spring game a couple weeks ago as he is still recovering.

That gave the other Gamecocks running backs a chance to show what they can do. Although quarterback LaNoris Sellers led the team with 38 yards rushing, others such as Djay Braswell and Larry Scott made an impact as well.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer addressed the play at the running back position after the game.

“I thought all those guys did well,” he said. “Oscar (Adaway), I just told him he had some good runs early and did some good things. I saw him getting north-south. Really all those guys. Nathan Harris-Waynick and Larry Scott, both walk-ons, and Chase McCracken and Jawarn Howell, all those guys got in there and got carries.”

Beamer in particular came away impressed with Braswell, who is set to enter his second college season. The former four-star recruit appeared in six games as a true freshman to record 25 yards rushing on 12 carries.

More opportunity could be coming his way in 2024.

“Djay’s a guy that can run,” Beamer said. “He’s got home run ability because of his speed and showed some of that ability tonight. He obviously got in last year as a true freshman and certainly with his speed, he brings an element to that running back room without a doubt.

“All those guys, Djay included, it’s about so much more than the ball in your hand. It’s the pass protection part of it and catching the ball aspect of it as well. He had a good night tonight and needs to continue to commit to what we want out of that running back position and continue to develop as a player.”

South Carolina is coming off of a 5-7 finish this past season after earning bowl game appearances in both of Beamer’s first two seasons. If the Gamecocks are to get back there this year, they’ll need these players as well as Sanders to step up when he returns from injury.