The South Carolina Gamecocks have built an explosive offense in 2023, with quarterback Spencer Rattler as the star quarterback. After seeing MarShawn Lloyd go to USC, the Gamecocks had uncertainty at the running back position.
But transfer rusher Mario Anderson Jr. has proven to be an adequate replacement for Lloyd and has significantly seen his 2024 NFL Draft stock rise.
Mario Anderson Jr.’s NFL Draft Stock
Anderson, a 5’9″ and 210-pound senior who came to South Carolina from Newberry, was an unheralded addition by most standards. Outside of Oliver Hodgkinson of College Football Network, who said Anderson had “excellent speed for a physical back” and lauded his ability to break off explosive plays, few knew what the Gamecocks were getting.
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In South Carolina’s Week 7 battle against Florida, Anderson seized the opportunity to break out in a major way. Coming off his first 100-yard game of the year against Tennessee in Week 5 before the bye week, Anderson stepped up even more in the first half against the Gators. He entered the break with 67 rushing yards on nine carries and added a 20-yard receiving touchdown.
Averaging 5.2 yards per carry entering the contest, Anderson has become the offense’s focal point over the Gamecocks’ last three games. His explosiveness is as advertised, showing off standout straight-line speed, strength, and the ability to hurdle defenders despite his shorter stature.
HURDLED HIM FOR THE TOUCHDOWN ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Zc8jvEKj3S
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 14, 2023
Anderson’s low center of gravity is a major plus for his play style. He can quickly chop his feet to maximize his ability to change directions or violently launch into the air to get more yards. There’s a fearlessness in his game that has created an edge, allowing Anderson to conjure even more fight through contact than his physical abilities do.
In other words, he has that dog in him.
The 2024 running back class has been waiting for a riser to enter the conversation. While Lloyd is a solid prospect, backs like TreVeyon Henderson and Raheim Sanders have been banged up, and Donovan Edwards has been outright bad.
Yet, the former Newberry Wolves back is creating more for himself and maximizing his touches each week. He has the creative ability to be more than a replacement-level back in the NFL, and his physical traits continue to look good enough to earn him a high-end No. 2 or possible starter level for an effective offense.
More tests await Anderson as the season progresses. He must prove durable enough to handle a bigger workload as he takes the next step in his career. Continuing to look explosive against top competition is a great way of proving his NFL upside.
You can be sure we’re watching Anderson closely, and he’ll be a riser on our top-10 running back rankings as soon as this coming week’s update. The question he must answer now is how good he can be. Based on the success he’s found on every level of football thus far, Anderson might be the class’ biggest sleeper, and he’s right in front of our faces.