South Carolina Gamecocks Bolster Backfield with Former Arkansas Razorbacks Running Back Isaiah Augustave Through Transfer Portal Addition
South Carolina football continues its aggressive and calculated moves in the NCAA transfer portal, this time adding a key piece to its offensive puzzle in the form of former Arkansas Razorbacks running back Isaiah Augustave. The Gamecocks, coming off a challenging 2024 season in which injuries and inconsistency plagued their offense, believe Augustave’s arrival could provide an immediate impact in the backfield and offer both depth and explosiveness at a position of need. The addition signals a commitment to rebuilding a run game that has lacked identity since the departure of Kevin Harris and the up-and-down tenure of Marshawn Lloyd.
Isaiah Augustave, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound back originally from Naples, Florida, enters Columbia with three years of eligibility remaining. He was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, ranked as one of the top 25 running backs in the nation and a consensus top-300 overall prospect. His size, vision, and physical running style earned him high praise out of high school, and while his playing time was limited in Fayetteville due to a crowded backfield, he showed enough flashes to generate serious interest in the portal this offseason. South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains wasted little time identifying Augustave as a priority target and have now secured his commitment.
For Beamer and his staff, this pickup addresses one of the most pressing concerns on the roster. The Gamecocks’ rushing attack ranked near the bottom of the SEC in 2024, often leaving quarterback LaNorris Sellers to carry too much of the offensive burden. While South Carolina showed promise at times through the air, their inability to sustain drives on the ground limited their overall efficiency and put significant pressure on the defense. Adding Augustave gives them a proven, SEC-caliber talent with the potential to develop into a workhorse back — someone who can run between the tackles, pick up blitzes, and break away for chunk plays when the blocking holds up.
Augustave appeared in 10 games for the Razorbacks during his redshirt freshman season, totaling 245 yards on 45 carries for an average of 5.4 yards per carry. While those numbers might seem modest on the surface, they reflect strong efficiency in limited opportunities, particularly behind an Arkansas offensive line that struggled at times. He showcased his abilities most notably against Western Carolina, running for 78 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries. His combination of patience, lower-body strength, and ability to shed arm tackles quickly caught the eye of opposing coaches and analysts alike.
At South Carolina, Augustave figures to enter a backfield that’s very much in flux. Mario Anderson Jr., last season’s leading rusher, declared for the NFL Draft, leaving behind a group with potential but no clear lead dog. Juju McDowell returns, but his role has been better suited as a change-of-pace option, utilizing his quickness and versatility in the passing game rather than carrying the ball 15 to 20 times a game. Freshman Matthew Fuller showed flashes in spring ball, but he’s still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the SEC. In that context, Augustave’s arrival could allow the Gamecocks to establish a more balanced offensive identity, leaning on a dependable runner who has already absorbed the rigors of SEC football.
The transition from Fayetteville to Columbia should also be eased by South Carolina’s welcoming environment and player-focused culture. Beamer has consistently emphasized building relationships with his athletes, and that approach has resonated well in the portal era, where stability and player development often outweigh tradition or facilities. For Augustave, the opportunity to become a central figure in the offense — and potentially the feature back — likely played a key role in his decision to commit to the Gamecocks. With his skill set and SEC experience, he walks into a situation tailor-made for a breakout season if all pieces align.
Another layer to this move is how it could impact South Carolina’s quarterback situation and overall offensive scheme. With Sellers expected to take over full-time duties under center, having a reliable and explosive backfield mate becomes paramount. Sellers is a dual-threat QB who can stretch the field vertically and make plays with his legs, but his development will depend heavily on having a run game that keeps defenses honest. Augustave’s presence may help create more favorable passing situations by drawing additional defenders into the box. That, in turn, can open up play-action possibilities and lessen the pressure on an offensive line that has been undergoing transition.
Recruiting-wise, the addition of Augustave also continues a trend under Beamer’s tenure: winning in the portal with players who fit the team culture and scheme. South Carolina has been one of the more proactive programs in the SEC in targeting players with immediate eligibility who can fill positional needs without disrupting team chemistry. In recent years, that strategy has paid dividends with players like Spencer Rattler, Trey Knox, and Nick Emmanwori, all of whom made significant impacts after transferring in or emerging quickly. Augustave, though younger than some of those additions, has a similar chance to make his mark.
The timing of the commitment is ideal as well. With summer workouts just around the corner, Augustave will have the opportunity to integrate fully into the strength and conditioning program and begin learning the offense at a deeper level. That head start could be crucial in allowing him to claim a starting role by the time fall camp begins. The SEC is an unforgiving conference, and South Carolina’s schedule in 2025 includes several early-season tests that will require a well-rounded and physical ground attack. Augustave gives them a tool they lacked last season — a back with both SEC pedigree and upside still to be realized.
Long-term, the Gamecocks are building a foundation that combines young talent with portal veterans, and Augustave fits that mold. He’s not just a stopgap; he’s a player who could grow with the program over the next two to three years. His eligibility clock aligns with many of South Carolina’s recent high school recruiting classes, meaning that continuity and chemistry can be developed over time rather than just patched together for a single season. That’s the kind of roster construction approach that separates middling teams from those capable of pushing into the upper echelon of the SEC East.
Moreover, this move highlights how much the landscape of college football has changed. Just a few years ago, it would have been rare for a player to transfer within the SEC and immediately take on a starring role. But in today’s world — one shaped by NIL, immediate eligibility, and player empowerment — moves like Augustave’s are becoming the norm. South Carolina has embraced this shift and, in doing so, positioned itself to benefit from the volatility of the modern roster cycle.
It also doesn’t hurt that Augustave’s departure from Arkansas comes at a time when the Razorbacks are undergoing a significant rebuild under new offensive leadership. That creates a scenario where both player and program win: Arkansas gets roster clarity and a chance to reshape its running back room, while South Carolina acquires a player who still has everything to prove and the hunger to do it.
In the end, Isaiah Augustave may not be a household name yet, but his ceiling is high and his situation in Columbia appears tailor-made for a breakout. If he can stay healthy, adapt quickly to Loggains’ offense, and build chemistry with Sellers and the offensive line, there’s every reason to believe he could become a centerpiece of South Carolina’s 2025 campaign. The Gamecocks have taken a step forward with this addition — one that fans, coaches, and players alike hope becomes a defining moment in the next chapter of Beamer Ball.
