Waiver approved: Rahsul Faison will suit up for South Carolina in 2025

South Carolina running back Rahsul Faison will play for the Gamecocks in 2025.

It took way longer than Faison or anyone in the program initially hoped for, but the transfer running back has received the necessary waiver from the NCAA and will be eligible to suit up in the Garnet and Black this season, GamecockCentral has confirmed. CBS Sports first reported the news.

Faison transferred to South Carolina from Utah State in January as one of the top backs in the transfer portal. While it was known at the time that he would need a waiver to play, it was thought to be a slam dunk due to the “Pavia” rule since he didn’t even play football for three years out of high school and then spent a season at junior college.

Sign up for GamecockCentral today – $1 for the first week, plus a complimentary year of access to The Athletic included.

But head coach Shane Beamer said in early May at a Welcome Home Tour event that he was growing frustrated with the lack of an answer for Faison after the school submitted his appeal for an additional year in January.

A few days later, Faison posted on X/Twitter that he had retained premier NIL lawyer Darren Heitner, who South Carolina men’s basketball’s Myles Stute also hired to help with his appeal for an extra year, which was ultimately granted.

After some initial uncertainty, Faison received a waiver that allowed him to practice with the Gamecocks this fall while waiting on an answer.

Now, Faison’s extra year has been granted, too, which is massive news for the Gamecocks, who are replacing last year’s leading rusher, Rocket Sanders.

“We were certainly looking for a guy to replace Rocket,” Shane Beamer said this offseason on Always College Football. “Somebody that had that home run ability. That can take an eight-yard gain or a run that’s blocked for five yards and can turn it into an explosive run. That’s what we saw when we watched him. I think he’s got great vision. He’s got great balance. He can make people miss, but he can also run you over.”

Faison transferred to South Carolina after spending the last two seasons at Utah State, where he rushed for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns on 316 carries.

The Pottsgrove, Penn. native ranked as the No. 68 overall prospect and No. 5 transfer portal running back this offseason.

“It’s been a pretty easy transition,” Faison told GamecockCentral in March. “Honestly, I’ve been loving every bit of it. Being a new guy, obviously meeting all the guys and building relationships on and off the field. And then obviously the workout part and the football part have been great. So I’ve been having a great time.

Faison graduated from high school in 2019 but did not play football in 2019, 2020, or 2021 before playing at Snow Junior College in 2022.

With Faison now officially available, Beamer will feel good about that room going into the season.

“Oscar Adaway returns. Rocket didn’t play in the bowl game for us and Oscar did some nice things in that bowl game. Had a long touchdown run on the fourth down that we went for. We’ve added Rahsul. Then, two young guys that we’re really excited about. Matthew Fuller was a true freshman last year.

“Then, Jawarn Howell was in his first year in our program last year after transferring from South Carolina State. I think both of those guys have a chance to be really good running backs here at South Carolina. So, we’ve got four, and then Bradley Dunn‘s a guy that’s been in our program since I got here, that’s got experience also.”

South Carolina kicks off its 2025 season on Aug. 31 vs. Virginia Tech in Atlanta.

“I’m super excited,” Faison said in March about playing for the Gamecocks. “I just want to show everybody why I’m here and who I am as a player. What I did at Utah State doesn’t mean anything now. It’s a new year, and nobody cares about the past. I just want to prove that I’m here for a reason, for sure.

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!