Djay Braswell's role likely to expand with injuries to South Carolina's running backs
South Carolina true freshman Djay Braswell has only played in four games this season. But with injuries to Dakereon Joyner and Juju McDowell in recent weeks, the Gamecocks will likely be looking for him to provide some much needed depth at running back.
“He’s a competitor. He doesn’t say a whole lot but he competes and he doesn’t backdown from anyone,” said Shane Beamer. “You get out there on the practice field and our practices are very competitive and those guys on defense will give him a hard time. I don’t want to say they rough him up but they get after him a good bit at times — our older guys on defense and things like that. But he doesn’t backdown from any of them. He’s the same, day in and day out. Consistent and steady. He’s worked at all parts to get better, not just with running the football.”
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What makes Braswell situation a bit tricky is that if he appears in either of South Carolina’s final two regular season games he’ll burn a year of eligibility. After the Jacksonville State game, Braswell had only played in three games. But with Joyner’s foot injury, Braswell helped USC’s backfield by playing 15 snaps against Vanderbilt. That workload certainly increased after McDowell left the game after breaking his collarbone.
“Every week, I’m worried about the future of our program and that includes every individual in our program. But I’m also worried about beating Kentucky and winning next week as well and the 2023 season. For us with those conversations, guys rolls and with redshirting, it’s always being honest with them and communicating about what they want, where they see things, (and) where we see things.”
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In those four games, Braswell has rushed for 21 yards on ten carries. He also has two receptions for 28 yards with both coming last week against Vanderbilt.
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“We don’t want to play you in a game if you’re only gonna play five plays. But, if you have a chance to play 25, 30, 35, 40, whatever it is that’s a different story. I think it’s doing what’s best for your team and for that individual in the short-term but also have a long-term vision and making good decisions. Every situation is different but at the end of the day we just want to be honest.”
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With McDowell done for the season and Joyner doubtful to play this weekend, according to Beamer, Braswell’s workload will likely increase this weekend to help spell Mario Anderson. Against Vanderbilt the snaps at running back saw Anderson with 30, Braswell with 14, Bradley Dunn with four, McDowell with two, and DJ Twitty with one.
“We’ve been emphasizing the next man up mentality,” said offensive lineman Vershon Lee. “Helping him get some more reps and talking to him to make sure he sees what we see so that we’re on the same page regarding pass protection and run plays. Making sure he understands the way other running backs would hit it so he can try to do it the same thing, take it, and put his own flare on to it.”
