Mario Anderson not satisfied, still adjusting after South Carolina debut
Following his redshirt junior season at Newberry College, South Carolina running back Mario Anderson had a decision to make.
Anderson had just finished the campaign as one of the top running backs at the Division II level. His highly productive season – 1,560 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 211 carries – earned him a number of distinctions, including a first-team All-America nod by the Associated Press.
He also was named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
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Anderson could have decided to stay a part of the Wolves football program for one final season, adding more achievements to a loaded resume. Instead, he entered the transfer portal and joined the Gamecocks in December 2022.
His reasoning for the decision was simple – it provided him the greatest challenge and opportunity to build his skillset.
“I feel as though the competition level is the highest,” Anderson said. “That’s why I chose to come into the SEC: just being able to compete.”
During his transition to playing at South Carolina, Anderson has made a number of adjustments to his game. He said he has seen the greatest change in the way he prepares himself mentally for competition.
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“I wasn’t the strongest mentally coming in just because I’ve been playing D2 ball the whole time, so I had to adjust in that aspect and mature a little more,” Anderson said. “Feel as though my whole game can get better, no matter what it is. I don’t feel as though anyone can be dominant at one thing or just the whole game in general, so just expanding my game as a whole.”
On the field, Anderson has also worked with running backs coach Montario Hardesty to improve aspects of his playing style.
“The toughest adjustment for me is just the finer details on a day-to-day basis. Coach Hardesty, he really emphasized even the smallest things. It really helped me as a running back and molded me. I believe he changed my style of run, and I believe he made my IQ go higher.”
In some areas, though, Anderson’s transition to Power Five football has been much more seamless. He noted that South Carolina’s practices have prepared him for the speed and physicality of live game action.
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“I face the best of the best every day with our defense. I feel as though I adjusted very well to the speed just going against the defense that we have,” Anderson said. “We got guys like Debo, Marcellas, the line. It’s very fast and very physical. I feel as though playing with those guys in practice day in and day out has got me ready for it.”
Anderson’s efforts in practice have translated to an on-field role with a positional group that also features Dakereon Joyner, Juju McDowell and Djay Braswell. Through the Gamecocks’ first two games, Anderson totaled 32 yards on six attempts. His 5.3 yards per carry is currently the highest average amongst all the team’s rushers.
Despite this, Anderson was blunt when assessing his performance, stating that he “wasn’t satisfied with it.”
“I could’ve broke a few more tackles,” Anderson said. “I feel as though I could’ve run a little more physical and have my eyes open a little bit more so that I could see a little bit more of my outside zones and just break more tackles and make someone miss.”
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Anderson said that he, and other running backs, can perform better by playing more physically.
“I still feel as though we need to have a little more of a physicality approach to it,” Anderson said. “That’s something we’ve been doing more of the last two weeks and just being more physical up front… I feel like the physicality is a point of emphasis.”
He added that at the end of the day, he will always be grateful to the South Carolina football program for the opportunity to do exactly what he came to Columbia for: to compete.
“I’m blessed to be here,” Anderson said. “I thank Coach Beamer for allowing me to compete every day, whether that’s for a job or just going out and showcasing my talent.”
