Talking season players to watch: Oscar Adaway III
Despite South Carolina’s running back room being deep with talent, transfer back Oscar Adaway III should play a key role for the Gamecocks in 2024.
A versatile running back who has five years of college football experiences, he still has two years of eligibility remaining due to a 2021 ACL injury, a redshirt year, and the 2020 COVID-19 season. Standing at 5-11, 219 pounds, he ranks fifth all-time in program history for North Texas with 1,935 career rushing yards. This past season Adaway rushed for 738 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging six yards per carry for the Mean Green. He also had 14 catches for 89 yards.
[Subscribe for free to Gamecock Central’s YouTube page!]
When I watched Adaway’s tape at North Texas, it was evident that he’d a three-down back. Not only was he used heavily in the run game and in pass protection but he also made an impact as a pass catcher. We saw South Carolina using him in a similar way in the spring game in his limit action rushing for 12 yards to go along with two catches for 14 yards while also contributing with pass pro.
BOTTOM LINE:
While the majority of the fanbase is eager to see Rocker Sanders, let’s keep in mind that he’s coming back from a shoulder injury. An injury that prevented him from taking part in spring practices. While Sanders is on track to be back at 100 percent for the start of fall camp, he’ll be playing catch up behind guys like Adaway, Djay Braswell, and Jawarn Howell who all had solid springs. Especially a guy like Adaway who really helped his cause throughout the spring, not just the spring game.
“We all view it the same way with that spot (at running back). But as a team, we all want to win,” said Adaway following the Garnet & Black spring game. That’s all that matters at the end of the day.”
[Get the On3 app! Stay connected with GC!]
What should also help Adaway see the field early is if he’s able to prove to the coaching staff that he can be reliable in pass protection. Think back to just last season. It took transfer running back Mario Anderson a few weeks to get comfortable with the transition of pas pro responsibilities at the FBS level after making the jump up from DII.
While Adaway could still face growing pains as he makes the jump up to playing in the SEC, he benefited from the fact of seeing a lot of reps in the spring because of how banged up USC’s running back room was. Like wine, he should only get better with time in Columbia.
Discuss South Carolina Football on The Insiders Forum
The post Talking season players to watch: Oscar Adaway III appeared first on On3.
