Shane Beamer Believes Running-Back-By-Committee Approach Is Feasible In 2023

The running back position for South Carolina's Football team lacks a standout back, but Shane Beamer thinks a running-back-by-committee approach is workable.

South Carolina's offensive skill positions were hit hard this offseason by defections via eligibility exhaustion, medical retirements, and surprise transfer exits. Besides the tight end position having no scholarship players on the roster after the Gator Bowl, the Gamecocks' running back position witnessed the most significant and impactful exodus.

67.8 percent of South Carolina's net rushing yards have departed, leaving the Gamecocks with almost an entirely new group outside of third-year back Juju McDowell. This has led to many questions regarding whether Shane Beamer and his staff might use a running-back-by-committee approach this Fall, something that the head man indicated at Birdies With Beamer on Wednesday could be a feasible option. 

"I think so, know so," "I've used the example [of] when I was at Georgia in 2017, and we had Nick Chubb, Sony Michael, D'Andre Swift, and Elijah Holyfield, [and] all four of those guys played or are playing in the NFL," Beamer recalled. "Certainly, that's a position that takes a pounding as the year goes, [and] you need more than one [running back]. I think each game is different; sometimes you get into a game, and one particular running back just gets hot, and you just kinda ride that guy and get going."

One unique facet of South Carolina's run game last year that could be utilized again this season is the implementation of sweeps and motion from Gamecock wideouts, a possibility that Beamer hinted at when discussing the running back spot.

"There's also ways to generate runs without necessarily handing it to a running back. You saw us do that last year with some of the jet sweep stuff that we've done with receivers or running the quarterback or whatever it might be."

Much like the offensive line unit, Shane acknowledges that right now, the running back situation isn't ideal but that it's on the staff to get the most out of the guys they have and try to expand the running game as much as possible.

"We'll be fine there, but we also understand our depth is not necessarily where we want it to be. We've got to do a great job of developing the ones that we have and being creative with what we do in the run game."

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