Geoff Collins Debuts as South Carolina Head Coach While Rahsul Faison’s Absence Raises Eyebrows in Gamecock Opener
The Shane Beamer era officially faded into memory as Geoff Collins took his first steps onto the field as South Carolina’s new head football coach. The air buzzed with anticipation at Williams-Brice Stadium, where the Gamecock faithful hoped for a rejuvenation of the program after a tumultuous few years. But amid the debut of a new regime and the usual opening-day jitters, one notable absence cast a quiet shadow over the afternoon—Rahsul Faison, a promising freshman running back who had been the subject of offseason praise, was nowhere to be found on the field or sidelines.
Collins, a coach once known for his defensive mind and energetic branding at Georgia Tech, walked onto the field with a sense of urgency and purpose. The Gamecocks, eager to shake off the weight of last season’s inconsistencies, looked faster, more physical, and better organized in all three phases. Collins’ fingerprints were evident from the first whistle: more aggressive play-calling, a relentless defensive front, and a tempo offense that didn’t stall in key moments. It was a new era, and it felt like one. But as fans debated schemes, position battles, and who stood out among the new faces, whispers began to swirl about Faison, the young back expected to challenge for immediate playing time.
Faison’s recruitment had been one of the feel-good stories of the previous cycle. A late riser out of Pennsylvania with a powerful frame and rare vision for a high school senior, he had attracted attention from several Power Five schools before ultimately pledging to the Gamecocks. In spring and early fall camp, insiders raved about his physicality and football IQ. Several beat reporters noted that Faison had “the look of a guy who could get 10 touches a game by midseason.” Running backs coach Montario Hardesty praised his work ethic in closed-door meetings, and it seemed inevitable that he would carve out a role, especially with the Gamecocks dealing with depth questions at the position following a few key departures and injuries.
And then—nothing.
No pregame warmups. No jersey sighting. No official update from the team’s communications staff. No explanation from Collins in his pregame press briefing. In an age of instant updates and sideline trackers, the absence didn’t go unnoticed. Fans on message boards speculated. Had he been injured in a closed practice? Was there an off-the-field issue being kept quiet? Was he simply redshirting? The lack of any information at all only fueled the speculation further.
On the field, South Carolina did enough to secure a comfortable win in Collins’ debut, though it wasn’t without a few growing pains. The quarterback play was competent if unspectacular, and the offensive line held up better than it had last year, giving fans hope that the brutal sack numbers of the 2024 season were a thing of the past. The defense flew to the ball with a speed and edge not seen in Columbia since the peak Will Muschamp years. For much of the afternoon, it was hard not to notice how much more connected and disciplined the team looked compared to the previous year. There were fewer busted coverages, fewer mental lapses, and a noticeable sense of belief.
But for all the progress, there was a lingering question: what happened to Rahsul Faison?
After the game, when asked about personnel decisions, Collins stayed focused on the positives. “I was proud of the way our guys responded,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young talent, a lot of guys who are working their way into roles, and that competition is only going to make us better. Every week is an evaluation.”
It wasn’t exactly a denial or confirmation—just enough ambiguity to allow fans and media to keep wondering.
If this was a matter of strategy or redshirting, it wouldn’t be unusual. Freshmen often take a backseat early in the season, especially when teams are still evaluating depth charts. But the silence surrounding Faison stood out precisely because of how visible he’d been in recent weeks. During media availability in mid-July, he was mentioned unprompted by teammates and coaches alike. Some observers even penciled him in as a third-string back with potential to climb. And with injuries in the position group, it would have made sense to see him get at least a few snaps.
There are other possibilities, too. In the era of NIL, the transfer portal, and more stringent academic tracking, absences like these can mean many things. It’s not unheard of for players to miss games due to eligibility reviews, internal team discipline, or simply personal reasons the staff chooses to keep in-house. Collins, to his credit, has emphasized player privacy in the past. During his time at Georgia Tech, he often refrained from publicizing player absences unless it was absolutely necessary. That culture appears to have followed him to Columbia.
But South Carolina fans are understandably anxious. The Gamecocks are entering a delicate phase as they try to rebuild their identity and culture. With Collins at the helm, expectations are not sky-high—but they are meaningful. He was hired to install toughness, accountability, and consistency, something that had been lacking in the Beamer years. And early signs from this debut suggest that culture is beginning to take root. But in a results-driven league like the SEC, even a seemingly minor absence can balloon into a narrative.
Whether or not Faison’s situation becomes a long-term concern remains to be seen. For now, the focus remains on South Carolina’s upcoming stretch—a critical run of early-season games that will test the depth and resolve of Collins’ young roster. And if Faison is dealing with a short-term issue, fans will likely see him back in pads soon enough. But if the absence stretches on, it could become one of the early tests of Collins’ tenure—how to manage expectations, rumors, and transparency in a fishbowl environment.
Regardless, Collins passed his first test on the field. The team looked motivated and better prepared than it had in months. Young players flashed promise, veteran leaders held their ground, and the staff made quick in-game adjustments that kept the Gamecocks in control from the second quarter on. It’s only one game, but there was a different vibe—one that could become the foundation of a turnaround.
Still, for all the optimism, football is as much about who’s not on the field as who is. South Carolina has known that reality for years—injuries, transfers, and unexpected absences have all shaped the recent trajectory of the program. And now, just as a new coach takes the reins and builds a new future, a small mystery lingers on the periphery.
If Rahsul Faison’s absence is brief, it may quickly be forgotten. But if it stretches on—without clarity—it could become a recurring question in an otherwise hopeful narrative. South Carolina doesn’t need controversy. What it needs is continuity, development, and quiet growth. Collins seems committed to all three. But to get there, he’ll have to navigate the unexpected, just like any coach in the SEC.
For now, fans can take solace in the energy, the effort, and the victory. Collins has the Gamecocks moving in the right direction. But like every journey, it starts with more questions than answers—and for now, Rahsul Faison remains one of them.
