Countdown to kickoff prediction series: South Carolina will get big rushing performances from multiple players in 2026

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 50 days. The prediction paired with day 50 read, “At least two different players will log 100-yard rushing performances.” Let’s break down that prognostication. Have a question for the GamecockCentral staff? Ask it now on The Insiders Forum. The running backs Naturally, when talking about the running game, the running back position comes to mind first. For South Carolina, there is a lot of talent in that position room, though it is somewhat unproven. At 220 pounds, Matt Fuller has the size and physicality needed to hold up in the SEC. However, he is explosive, too, as evidenced by his 72-yard run against LSU in 2025. If starting lineups had to be announced today, Fuller would likely be the favorite to start for the Gamecocks. He is a seam away from a big run at any time, and he runs through weak tackle attempts, two good traits to have for a running back looking to chew up yardage. Christian Clark isn’t far behind Fuller, though. The former Texas Longhorn transferred in this offseason and has made good early impressions. After missing 2024 with an injury, he took some time to reacclimate last season. However, in his only start of the year, an Outback Bowl victory over Michigan, he went off for 105 yards and a touchdown. Clark will be a factor this fall. When assessing their chances of cracking the century mark, Fuller and Clark’s spots at the top of the depth chart pair nicely with the lighter start to South Carolina’s schedule. With home games against Kent State and Towson in the opening two weeks, both players will be on big game watch. Even so, Gamecock fans should not dismiss the other backs in Stan Drayton’s position room. Isaiah Augustave and Jawarn Howell are back for another year in garnet and black. Both players have had good seasons at previous stops, as Augustave led Colorado in rushing in 2024, and Howell was an FCS All-American at SC State in 2023. The redshirt juniors had good springs, too. Jabree Coleman transferred in from Penn State this offseason and looks to have a bright future. For now, though, he might be behind the other players in the running back pecking order. If forced to pick just one, though, Matt Fuller is the top candidate to crack 100 yards in a game. What does this mean for the Gamecocks? Fellow subscribers are discussing it now on The Insiders Forum. LaNorris Sellers Though running backs typically run the ball with more frequency than quarterbacks, South Carolina doesn’t have a typical quarterback. LaNorris Sellers is a big-armed passer, but he is also a dynamic runner; just ask the 2024 Clemson Tigers. In the Palmetto Bowl win two seasons ago, Sellers rushed for a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns. It was one of two 100-yard rushing performances for the All-SEC QB. Expectations are high for Sellers to return to that level of production this fall under new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. Sellers and Briles have spoken highly of one another this offseason, and the on-field marriage seems to be a match made in Heaven. Briles has had his most productive offenses with dual-threat quarterbacks, and dual-threat quarterbacks have had their best seasons under Briles. Sellers led South Carolina in carries in 2025, though a large number of those came on sacks and/or scrambles. Even so, he should easily run the ball at least 100 times, and Briles seems much more likely than Mike Shula was to let Sellers continue to carry the load if he is the Gamecocks’ best option any given Saturday. Seeing him post a 100-yard rushing performance (or two or three) doesn’t feel far-fetched at all for this fall.