Countdown to kickoff prediction series: South Carolina fans can expect multiple 100-yard performances on the ground

In May, when the calendar revealed that it was 100 days until South Carolina kicked off the season, I posted a story on GamecockCentral entitled “100 predictions for the 2026 Gamecocks.” Now, that countdown is down to just 51 days. The prediction paired with day 51 read, “Though the Gamecocks had zero individual 100-yard rushing performances last season, they will have at least four in 2026.” Let’s break down that prognostication. Have a question for the GamecockCentral staff? Ask it now on The Insiders Forum. Beating a dead horse For what feels like the 100th time this offseason, it has to be mentioned how anemic South Carolina’s rushing attack was last year. Not only did the Gamecocks post the SEC’s worst rushing total, they also had the worst yards-per-carry average among all power conference teams. Baked into the not-so-delicious pie that was the 2025 season’s offensive output, the Gamecocks did not have a single game in which a player rushed for over 100 yards. In fact, Carolina had just four instances in which a player even reached 70 yards. LaNorris Sellers rushed for 81 yards against Kentucky (98 before sacks) and 82 against Coastal Carolina. At running back, Rahsul Faison had 74 yards against Vanderbilt. Matt Fuller had 83 against LSU, with 72 of those yards coming on one carry. The team and individual rushing efforts (and, perhaps most importantly, the blocking in front) have to be better in 2026. What does this mean for the Gamecocks? Fellow subscribers are discussing it now on The Insiders Forum. South Carolina’s path forward To make this prediction come true, South Carolina will need to come close to matching 2024’s rushing output. That year, the Gamecocks had five 100-yard rushing efforts. LaNorris Sellers had two, against Texas A&M and Clemson. Rocket Sanders did it three times, crossing the century mark against LSU, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt. Reaching four likely will require Sellers and (at least) one running back to put up some big performances. South Carolina’s offense will run the ball more in 2026 than it did in 2025, giving them more opportunities for yardage. Some of that will stem from the fact that the Gamecocks will simply run more plays. USC ran just 753 plays in 2025, averaging just 62.75 plays per game. New offensive coordinator Kendal Briles averaged just under 900 plays the last three years at TCU (around 70 per game) and over 900 in 2021 and 2022 at Arkansas (around 72 per game). The personnel and coaching improvements in Columbia will play a large role, too. In addition to Briles at OC, veteran Stan Drayton now coaches the Gamecocks’ running backs, and long-time Briles associate Randy Clements leads the team’s offensive line group. The offensive line room brought in a lot of experience via the transfer portal. That certainly won’t hurt the poor blocking situation. At running back, Christian Clark and Jabree Coleman transferred in, joining talented returners like Matt Fuller, Jawarn Howell, and Isaiah Augustave. Fuller and Clark, who rushed for 105 yards in his final game at Texas, appear to be the room’s leaders. There will also be more (and better) opportunities for Sellers to run the ball. Mike Shula’s 2025 offense didn’t consistently allow the physical freak to tote the rock. Based on Briles’ history and his offseason comments, that won’t be an issue this fall. Sellers should be a premium piece of the offense, both in the passing game and running game. Not only will that be better for South Carolina’s chances of having 100-yard rushers, but it will also be better for the team’s offensive success as a whole.