South Carolina’s running back room is suddenly looking crowded in the best way possible.
With the 2026 season set to open next Saturday, offensive coordinator Kendal Briles says the Gamecocks have enough depth at the position to feel good about whoever lines up there. That group includes returning back Matt Fuller, Texas transfer Christian Clark, and a trio of familiar names in Jawarn Howell, Isaiah Augustave and Jabree Coleman.
"I feel like we have five real SEC running backs. Feel really comfortable with really anybody taking the field," Briles said in Wednesday's press conference.
"Obviously, Matt Fuller, we feel like could be the guy that is maybe most explosive out of the group. Matt's had a great fall camp.
Then, the rest of those guys are nipping at his heels, and everybody's battling and fighting to get on the field."
Fuller made a strong impression during spring practice, when he earned Joe Morrison Offensive Player of the Spring honors, and he carried that momentum into preseason camp. In 2025, he rushed for 260 yards and two touchdowns on 72 carries across 10 games. Over two seasons with the Gamecocks, he has totaled 285 rushing yards on 80 attempts in 12 games.
Clark also turned heads in camp after arriving from Texas. Last season for the Longhorns, he ran 55 times for 236 yards and two touchdowns, including a 105-yard outing against Michigan in the bowl game.
The rest of the room brings its own mix of experience and upside. Howell is heading into his third year in the program, Augustave is preparing for Year 2, and Coleman joined South Carolina this offseason after following Drayton from Penn State.
"Really pleased with the guys that we have in the room," Briles said. "Jabree Coleman is a young guy that's really stepped up in fall camp and then obviously Christian, Jawarn and Isaiah. So, there's a lot of competition in that room to get the football."
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Wright had already built a solid rsum at both stops before his stint with the Cleveland Browns, giving him a profile that fit for teams looking for a proven pass-catching option. South Carolinas inclusion in that mix adds another layer to a return attempt that has since run into an SEC eligibility ruling, leaving his next move uncertain even as it became clear he had multiple serious options on the table. [Read more 🡒]