From Columbia to Boulder: How a Former Gamecock Became the Heartbeat of Colorado’s Explosive Ground Game in 2025
College football often rewards perseverance, and no story captures that truth better than Colorado’s leading rusher in 2025—a player who once wore garnet and black before donning black and gold. He didn’t just transfer; he transformed. Once a promising but underutilized back at South Carolina, he is now the centerpiece of a rejuvenated Buffaloes offense and one of the most electrifying rushers in the nation. His journey from the SEC to the Pac-12—or what’s left of it—is more than a change of scenery. It’s the culmination of resilience, talent, and a bit of fate.
When this young man first arrived in Columbia, South Carolina, he was seen as a high-upside recruit—quick, tough, and versatile. At South Carolina, though, opportunities were sporadic. The team’s offensive identity was in flux, and despite flashes of brilliance, he found himself buried on a depth chart crowded with talent and uncertainty. Injuries, coaching shifts, and scheme misalignments all played a part in his limited production. South Carolina fans saw the potential, but it never fully materialized between the hedges of Williams-Brice Stadium.
But that didn’t mean the story was over. In the age of the transfer portal, players aren’t shackled to systems that don’t suit them. They seek better fits, and that’s exactly what this running back did. When Colorado came calling—led by the ever-charismatic Deion Sanders—the decision felt more like destiny than strategy. Coach Prime wasn’t just building a team; he was building a culture of second chances, hunger, and belief. The former Gamecock found himself welcomed with open arms, handed a fresh start in a program hungry for heroes.
What happened next was the kind of story that energizes entire fan bases. In his first few games in Boulder, he exploded out of the backfield with vision, burst, and toughness that made fans do double takes. This wasn’t just a transfer filling a depth chart gap. This was a game-changer. By midseason, he had already crossed the 800-yard mark, making highlight reels with breakaway runs, ankle-breaking cuts, and bulldozing finishes. Defenses knew what was coming. They just couldn’t stop it.
His production has been more than just numbers. His presence in the backfield has elevated the entire offense. Quarterback play has improved thanks to defensive fronts being forced to respect the run. Play-action passes are more effective. The offensive line, once considered a weakness, has found its rhythm thanks to his vision and patience behind their blocks. He makes the offense move, and when he’s on the field, the Buffaloes believe they can win every down.
Teammates rave about him—not just for what he does on Saturdays, but for how he carries himself Monday through Friday. Coaches talk about his work ethic, his leadership, his refusal to settle. “He practices like every rep matters,” one coach said. “That kind of attitude spreads fast.” And it has. Colorado, long searching for consistency, has found it behind a running back who treats every handoff like an opportunity to prove something.
The emotional core of his story isn’t just about football. It’s about redemption. He left South Carolina without bitterness, only determination. He never trashed his former team. He didn’t play the blame game. He simply went to work. That attitude has earned him respect across college football—from Columbia to Boulder and beyond. South Carolina fans, while wishing things had gone differently, can’t help but root for him. He’s a Gamecock by origin, a Buffalo by evolution.
This season, his stats are among the best in the nation: over 1,200 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns, and a yards-per-carry average hovering near six. But even more than that, he’s delivered in the clutch. In three separate games this year, he has led go-ahead or game-sealing drives with his legs, chewing up clock and willpower with every yard. It’s not just what he does; it’s when he does it.
Colorado’s season has been rejuvenated. A team that struggled for consistency last year has found its engine. Coach Sanders has repeatedly credited the former Gamecock for bringing “SEC toughness and discipline” to the roster. “He’s seen real football down south,” Sanders remarked. “That experience matters. He brings it to practice, to film room, and especially to game day.” That experience—gained in the trenches of the SEC—is now Colorado’s gain.
What’s also become clear is how this player has grown, not just as an athlete, but as a person. He’s become a mentor to younger players, often staying after practice to work with freshmen backs or answer their questions about film study. His transformation is as much about maturity as it is about performance. He speaks in interviews with humility and gratitude, always pointing the praise back to his teammates and coaches. You’d never guess he’s become a household name in Boulder. He’s still just hungry.
His running style is a blend of patience and violence. He waits for holes to develop but doesn’t hesitate when it’s time to hit the gas. He can run around you or through you, depending on what the situation demands. That versatility has made him a nightmare for defensive coordinators, who have to dedicate extra personnel just to slow him down. And even then, it often doesn’t matter.
NFL scouts are noticing. Once overlooked, he’s now projected as a Day 2 draft pick, with whispers of late first-round interest depending on how he finishes the season. His game tape shows a back who understands leverage, reads defenses quickly, and finishes runs with authority. What was once a collegiate question mark is now a professional prospect.
The road wasn’t smooth, and maybe that’s why the payoff feels so satisfying. He didn’t start as a star. He wasn’t anointed. He earned everything—every carry, every yard, every cheer from the Colorado crowd that now chants his name with every touch. His journey is a masterclass in not giving up, in betting on yourself, and in making the most of a second chance.
As Colorado pushes toward a bowl berth and possibly more, he remains the team’s compass. When things get tough, they hand him the ball. When the game is on the line, all eyes are on him. He’s become the kind of player who defines a season—maybe even an era. And all of it started with a quiet exit from Columbia and an even quieter promise to himself: next time, I’ll be ready.
Now, he’s more than ready. He’s dominant. He’s dynamic. And he’s rewriting his story in real-time.
For South Carolina, it’s a bittersweet chapter. They saw the spark, but it never ignited there. For Colorado, it’s pure fire. They’ve got a leader, a workhorse, and a difference-maker. A Gamecock by past. A Buffalo by present. A future pro by every measure.
Sometimes, all a player needs is the right fit. In Boulder, one former Gamecock has found just that—and in the process, he’s become a symbol of everything college football can be: unpredictable, emotional, and beautifully redemptive.
And as the snow begins to fall in Colorado and postseason dreams take shape, the Buffaloes know exactly who to thank for their momentum. He may have started in the Southeast, but his legend is being written in the Rockies.
