Columbia Welcomes Rahsul Faison’s Eligibility

In Columbia, South Carolina, a significant boost has arrived for the Gamecocks football team as starting running back Rahsul Faison has received an eligibility waiver from the NCAA. Faison, a transfer from Utah State, was eyeing his sixth season this fall and has been practicing with South Carolina since earlier this month.

Head coach Shane Beamer shared that the news concerning Faison’s eligibility couldn’t have come at a better time, especially with the team’s first game against Virginia Tech approaching on Sunday. The Gamecocks are currently ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, and Faison’s addition to the backfield adds valuable depth.

Alongside Faison, South Carolina has a talented group of running backs, including Oscar Adaway III, Jawarn Howell, Matthew Fuller, and Bradley Dunn, in addition to several walk-ons. Isaiah Augustave, who transferred from Colorado, is also a part of this backfield mix. With the increase in personnel, Beamer believes the running back room is stronger than it was last year.

During the previous season at Utah State, Faison rushed for an impressive 1,845 yards on 316 carries, scoring 13 touchdowns. He also made 33 receptions for 151 yards. His college career kicked off at Marshall in 2019, but due to several circumstances including a greyshirt year and a stint at Snow College, it wasn’t until later that he made his real impact on the field.

Faison did face a minor setback earlier this month with a shoulder bruise during the team’s first scrimmage, but he has swiftly returned to near full strength. Beamer expressed his pride in Faison’s hard work and the support from the entire running back group as they all vie for playing time. “They’re competing with each other and making each other better,” Beamer stated, emphasizing that the camaraderie within the group is vital as they lead into the season.

With the waiver now in place, Faison can officially contribute to the Gamecocks, making the upcoming showdown against Virginia Tech even more promising for fans and teammates alike.