Transfer running back Mario Anderson ready to grow with Gamecocks
Mario Anderson understands the weight of the opportunity ahead of him with the Gamecocks.
Following four seasons with Division II Newberry College, Anderson has opened a new chapter in his career in Columbia.
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“Every day I wake up blessed, you know not everyone gets to play college ball and it’s a slimmer percentage to play at this high of a level,” he said. “So, just being able to wake up, drive to the facility every day and work out every day is just, it’s a blessing for real.”
The redshirt senior running back is already taking advantage of what South Carolina’s facilities and staff have to offer.
“In the last month-and-a-half, two months that I’ve been here my body has changed already tremendously. The nutrition staff here is amazing, so they go hand-in-hand with each other, and [Strength and Conditioning] Coach [Luke] Day really, really strives for digging out for greatness,” Anderson said.
Anderson ran for 1,560 yards, scored 19 touchdowns and earned All-American honors this past season.
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Growing up in the Lowcountry and watching the Gamecocks, making the step up to the Division 1 level in his home state clearly means a lot for Anderson on a personal level.
“You know, football, it’s a big thing in my family,” he said. “Just being home and for my people to come right up the road to see me play and everything, that means a lot to me, and it just feels good.”
While he was in the transfer portal, Anderson connected with South Carolina running backs coach Montario Hardesty. He was engaged by Hardesty’s honesty and outlined what he will bring to the position group.
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“I feel like my skillset really just brings a relentless effort in the offense, brings a pounding run game to the offense and just looking forward to the spring just being able to grow no matter what it is in the game,” Anderson continued. “I just want to be able to grow and with Coach Mo and the other running backs in the running back room pushing me every day and I push them every day I feel as though that’s a very achievable goal.”
Anderson will step into a vital role for South Carolina in a position group that has lost depth this offseason.
Phone conversations with head coach Shane Beamer and his staff and in-state connections to current South Carolina players made the decision easy, according to Anderson.
“The personal relations and connections that I got with the coaches and everybody and I knew some of the players on the team already, so it was kind of a no-brainer to me,” Anderson said.
