South Carolina is making serious moves in the transfer portal - and the backfield is the latest area to get a boost.
The Gamecocks landed their third running back transfer of the cycle, this time staying within SEC territory by picking up former Texas back Christian Clark. He joins Sam Williams-Dixon (Ohio State) and Jabree Coleman (Penn State) as the trio of backs head coach Shane Beamer and his staff have added this offseason.
Clark brings three years of eligibility to Columbia and adds another layer of depth to a running back room that’s getting a fresh look - not just in personnel, but in leadership. Stan Drayton, formerly of Penn State, is now overseeing the position group as the Gamecocks’ new running backs coach.
Let’s talk about Clark. He didn’t see a ton of action during his time in Austin, but when he did get his shot, he made it count.
His breakout moment came in the Cheez-It Bowl on December 31, where he started for Texas and ran for 105 yards in a 41-27 win over Michigan. That performance turned heads - not just because of the numbers, but because of how he ran.
Confident. Decisive.
Physical.
For the season, Clark totaled 236 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and added 57 receiving yards on four catches. Not eye-popping numbers, but again - limited touches, and plenty of upside.
Coming out of high school in Arizona, Clark was a three-star prospect with a strong résumé: 1,890 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns over his prep career. He missed the 2024 season due to an injury suffered during fall camp, but now fully healthy, he’s looking to reset and reestablish himself in Columbia.
South Carolina’s current running back room includes Isaiah Augustave and Jawarn Howell, both entering their redshirt junior years, and Matthew Fuller, a redshirt sophomore. Clark slides in as another option - and potentially a big one - in what’s shaping up to be a competitive position battle under Drayton’s guidance.
This addition also brings South Carolina’s total number of transfer portal commits to 19 for the 2026 cycle. Beamer and his staff have been aggressive and intentional, building depth across the board. Here's a full look at that transfer class:
2026 South Carolina Transfer Portal Class
- RB Sam Williams-Dixon (Ohio State)
- RB Jabree Coleman (Penn State)
- RB Christian Clark (Texas)
- WR Jayden Gibson (Oklahoma)
- WR Nitro Tuggle (Purdue)
- OL Dayne Arnett (Ferris State)
- OL Carter Miller (UCF)
- OL Jacarrius Peak (NC State)
- OL Emmanuel Poku (East Carolina)
- OL Hank Purvis (Purdue)
- OL Seth Smith (Northern Arizona)
- K Upton Bellenfant (Texas Tech)
- LS Emmet Rhoades (Western Carolina)
- DL Jordan Thomas (Georgia)
- DL Tomiwa Durojaiye (Illinois)
- DL Kelby Collins (Alabama)
- DE Drew Collins (Arkansas State)
- DE Caleb Herring (Tennessee)
- DB Quay’Sheed Scott (Kentucky)
With Clark now in the fold, the Gamecocks have a new weapon in the backfield - and a player who’s already shown he can deliver on a big stage. If he stays healthy and continues to develop under Drayton, he could be one of the more impactful additions in this portal-heavy class.