A look into what the identity of South Carolina's offense could be in 2024

With the moves South Carolina made in the offseason, there’s a clear focus as to what this year’s offense will be about.

If 2023 taught the Gamecocks anything, it was a need for major improvements, most notably in the running back room. The production wasn’t where it needed to be by any means. In the span of a few months, the room went through a complete overhaul with multiple new faces and a new coach in Marquel Blackwell brought aboard.

South Carolina even went as far as bringing in Shawn Elliott to be the run game coordinator. This was a role he held during his first stint in Columbia. There was an emphasis on running the ball when he was here before, and that should be the case once again.

While yes, South Carolina also put plenty of resources into improving its passing game. But when you invest in players like Rocket Sanders, the run game shouldn’t play second fiddle in this offense.

“I think we are going to be more of a ground-and-pound, run-the-ball team,” said redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Cason Henry. “We’re going to be a big, physical offensive line. I think that’s what our fans want to see.”

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It’s not just Sanders the Gamecocks will be counting on to lead the charge for this complete 180. Shane Beamer and his staff made sure he would be surrounded by a great supporting cast, one that should be very solid.

Juju McDowell and Djay Braswell are the two regular backs from last year’s team returning for another go at it. From the transfer portal, Oscar Adaway III and Jawarn Howell should provide nice insurance for when Sanders needs a rest as they’ve both been lead running backs at other schools.

The cherry on top to this revamp is Matthew Fuller, a young freshman who scored a touchdown in the team’s first scrimmage. He may not play a ton behind these older guys, but he adds another layer to a room that has everything it needs to be successful.

“I feel like it’s better than ever,” McDowell said on the running back room. “We have superb talent in and out the running back room from the bottom to the top of the depth chart. Everybody’s interchangeable. Everybody can play any role, any position. Nobody in the room minds sharing time or doing whatever it takes for the team. We’re all team players. There’s some dogs in that room. So we can’t wait to unleash what we have.”

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Neither McDowell or Sanders played in last Saturday’s scrimmage as they were held out. Both are coming back from injuries they sustained last season. With their absence, this allowed the other backs to get more reps and time in the offense. Adaway seemingly served as the go-to back and has earned positive reviews in the days since then.

“He’s definitely a dog. It’s been great working with him. Another older guy that’s transferred in, bringing more maturity to the room,” McDowell said. “I love the way he attacks the game outside of the field as well as being an older guy, you have to take those extra steps not only helping yourself but to pave the way for the younger guys and show them the ropes. And he does a great job of that. He came in from a different program, of course, so the play calling was new. He’s adapted and it’s been working great for him. I can’t wait to see us let him go.”

Regardless of what Adaway does, Sanders will still be the leading back, so long as he’s healthy. That’s what South Carolina brought him in for. After that, Adaway should serve as a nice alternative, a worthy second option who should still receive plenty of touches.

“Last year, the run game specifically for the University of South Carolina was in the last places of the entire nation,” Adaway said. “So this year, we’re just trying to up that, not be in the backend. To be a successful football team in any football — SEC, NFL — you have to be able to run the football, and we know that. So there’s a huge emphasis on that.”

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And that’s the thing about this group. It’s not one or two guys that everyone knows are good. Each player brings value and production. It’s been the buzz word in camp, but there’s a great deal of depth, and that’s especially true in this case.

If the run game can be as good as it sounds, it’s going to change the in which the offense operates for the better. It will only take pressure off the need to throw the ball 30-plus times, something done in nine games last year.

“I think that’s really going to help us with the pass game as well,” Henry said. “If we can get defenses on their toes with the run game, then the pass game is that much easier.”

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