Competition heating up for No. 2 running back

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In the SEC, a lot of the first-string running backs get notoriety: Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette. But most of the time in the conference, wins come on the backs of the second-stringers.

Nine of the 14 teams last season had at least two rushers over 400 yards, and one team (Tennessee) had three. Of those nine teams, seven were bowl eligible.

This essentially means to win in the SEC, teams have to have multiple backs that can come into a game and be effective. Last season, South Carolina had one back over 400 yards, Brandon Wilds. The next leading rusher was Lorenzo Nunez with 375 yards.

This season, the Gamecocks come in with three running backs vying for the top spot, which running backs coach Bobby Bentley said will likely go to redshirt freshman AJ Turner.

Now, the race thickens for the second overall spot with competition heating up between redshirt juniors Rod Talley and David Williams. And Talley said no matter who gets the second spot, all three backs will likely see time week one.

“It’s probably going to be a running back by committee with us three right now,” Talley said. “I think we’re all pretty solid with A.J. out on the perimeter. He can get to top speed really quick, great acceleration, great moves. Me and Dave can do that, but we can also run in between the tackles. Not saying A.J. can’t, but we’re more physically suited for that. I think that it’ll work really well for us.”

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Talley and Williams are sharing reps in practice with the second team currently. Williams was in Bentley’s doghouse to start practice, but has since picked up his play. Bentley said Tuesday Williams “without a doubt” had his best two days practice this week.

“We expect him to play with effort, toughness and discipline every single play and that’s what we want him to be,” Bentley said. “He’s got the talent; he’s got the physical tools. Now he needs to put that together.”

The Gamecocks are installing a new, up-tempo offense this season, which means likely a revolving door of running backs from play to play so they don’t get too winded.

Fast-paced offenses usually mean an increase up to 80 or 100 offensive plays a game for some teams, which means an increase in running the ball. Williams said at South Carolina’s media day Aug. 1 the Gamecocks are trying to run the ball 25 to 30 times a game.

Talley agreed with that, and also said the new offense will utilize the running back corps catching and pass blocking abilities as well.

“We’re probably going to run the ball a good bit. We’re trying to practice on passing right now,” Talley said. “But I really expect us to run the ball a good bit in our offense.”

With the Gamecocks season opener only a week away, the Gamecocks have only a few practices left to narrow the search for their second-string back. And with preparations for Vanderbilt starting Thursday, the race for the backup position will be heating up.

And that’s what Talley longs for: competition. Because even though Turner will likely be the starter come Sept. 1, Talley’s still fighting to try and be the No. 1. And he says he expects nothing less from his other two teammates.

“I’m going for that number one spot of course,” he said. “I want to be the guy. I’m not competing for number two, and I hope that’s the case for Dave and AJ because competition brings out the best in you.”