South Carolina Star Running Back Rahsul Faison Still Awaiting NCAA Waiver as Fans Rally Behind the Free ‘Sul Movement

For South Carolina running back Rahsul Faison, what was supposed to be a fresh start and a long-awaited breakthrough season has instead turned into an ongoing waiting game — one that’s stretching the patience of everyone involved. As spring turned to summer and summer gave way to fall camps, Faison remained in limbo. He’s practiced with the Gamecocks. He’s participated in team meetings. He’s run drills and worked in the weight room. But what he hasn’t done is the one thing he came to Columbia to do: play.

That’s because Faison, a transfer who initially emerged as a promising talent at the FCS level, is still awaiting a decision from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. And with each passing day, frustration continues to grow — not just within the South Carolina football program, but among a fan base that’s rallied around the emerging “#FreeSul” movement in support of their new running back.

Faison transferred to South Carolina with the expectation of contributing immediately. After rushing for over 1,300 yards at the Division II level, he brought not only speed and agility but also the kind of determination that coaches rave about. Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks staff believed they had a hidden gem on their hands — a player capable of elevating the backfield in a conference where competition is brutally unforgiving.

But Faison’s eligibility situation was never a sure thing. The waiver process, already opaque and inconsistently applied, has recently become even more convoluted as the NCAA attempts to regulate the ever-growing number of transfers. While Faison and his team believed they had a strong case, citing extenuating personal and academic circumstances, the governing body has remained characteristically silent.

“I just want to play,” Faison said in a brief statement through the university. “I’m here to work hard, to contribute to this team, and to show what I can do. That’s all I’m asking for.”

His teammates are behind him. So is his coaching staff. So are the fans — perhaps more passionately than anyone expected. The “Free Sul” phrase has become a rallying cry on social media, with Gamecock Nation turning their collective frustration into action. T-shirts have been printed. Banners have been waved. Even during spring game events and scrimmages, fans could be seen holding signs urging the NCAA to “Let Sul Play.”

It’s more than just a clever slogan — it’s an emblem of what many perceive to be the NCAA’s unjust and inconsistent handling of waiver requests. Across the country, players with similar or less-compelling cases have been granted immediate eligibility with little delay. Others have been left waiting — or worse, denied without much explanation.

For Faison, it’s a mental grind that’s taken its toll. Behind the scenes, he’s remained professional. He’s leaned on his teammates and coaches. He’s poured his energy into practice. But the uncertainty looms.

Beamer, who has been publicly measured in his comments, didn’t hide his disappointment when asked about the situation during SEC Media Days.

“It’s frustrating. Rahsul is a great kid, he’s done everything right since he got here,” Beamer said. “We feel he’s earned the right to compete and to play. We’re doing everything we can, and we’re hopeful that the NCAA will do the right thing.”

What exactly that right thing looks like is up for debate — especially within the current climate of NCAA reform. With mounting legal challenges, increasing pressure from student-athlete advocacy groups, and the general sentiment that the organization is losing its grip on relevance, the NCAA’s handling of transfer waivers has become symbolic of broader dysfunction.

Faison’s case is particularly compelling because of how clean-cut it seems. He’s not bouncing around recklessly. He hasn’t been in trouble. His academic record is strong, and his athletic resume speaks for itself. He’s a player who took a big leap in his career, sought to challenge himself at the Power Five level, and now finds himself sidelined — not because of injury or performance, but because of bureaucracy.

Some fans have compared his situation to other high-profile cases across college football, where athletes appeared to have fewer obstacles yet received immediate waivers. Those disparities have only added fuel to the fire, and social media has turned the spotlight squarely onto the NCAA’s decision-making process.

The university has formally appealed. Legal advisers have stepped in to assist with the filing. But there’s no concrete timeline — and that’s what makes it maddening. In a sport where preparation, timing, and rhythm are everything, Faison is being asked to wait without answers. He can’t plan. The coaching staff can’t plan. And while he’s remained engaged and supportive, there’s only so much any young man can endure while watching from the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the Gamecocks enter a pivotal year in their development under Beamer. The offense needs explosive weapons. The backfield, while talented, lacks the kind of game-changing threat that Faison is capable of being. With his blend of vision, patience, and big-play ability, he’s been seen as a potential spark — a key that could open up the field for the entire unit.

Instead, the team has had to shuffle its depth chart, lean on underclassmen, and piece together a rotation that feels incomplete without him. That’s not just a loss for South Carolina — it’s a loss for college football fans who want to see talented players earn their opportunity.

Faison’s story is also a reminder of how difficult the modern college football landscape can be to navigate. Between NIL, the transfer portal, and academic requirements, the student-athletes are being asked to manage more than ever before. But at the core of it all remains a simple truth: they just want to play the game they love.

If the NCAA exists to serve the interests of the student-athlete — as it so often claims — then there should be no debate. Faison’s eligibility should already be resolved. Instead, what should’ve been a celebration of his arrival in Columbia has become a case study in red tape.

For now, the chants continue. “Free Sul” has become more than just a protest. It’s a show of unity — fans and players standing together in support of a young man they believe in. It’s a demand for transparency and fairness. It’s a call for the NCAA to prove that it still listens.

And maybe, just maybe, it’s a sign that change is coming. But that change, like the waiver itself, is still pending.

As for Rahsul Faison, he continues to wait. Quietly. Patiently. Hopefully.

And while he waits, an entire fan base waits with him — jerseys on, voices raised, and belief undimmed. Because in Columbia, and increasingly across the nation, the message is loud and clear: Free Sul.