Feast Mode: The Gamecocks’ New Super Weapon

by Ben Bramhall

By now, I’m sure that whenever a Gamecock fan sees my name on an article from Front Porch Football, he/she immediately goes “oh great, another article crapping on my team by this patronizing know-it-all.”  To that I respond, “meh, pretty accurate description of me.”  To be fair, I only go off on things using the ammunition that is provided for me. 

Today however, I will be bucking the trend.  On July 29^th, a report came out that Clemson RB Tavien Feaster had finally made his decision to transfer his talents to the University of South Carolina and play his final year of eligibility in the garnet and black.  It had been known for some time that he would be transferring, and he seemed to have narrowed his decision down to either South Carolina or Virginia Tech.  However, he finally decided that the Gamecocks would be the team that he would be representing during the next college football season. 

For anyone to say that this move has little significance would be like saying that the United States made little to no impact on the outcomes of both World Wars.  This is a huge score by the Gamecocks as Feaster will undoubtedly be one of (probably the most) explosive and talented player on their offense.  If used properly, Feaster could propel the Gamecocks to a winning season, and perhaps even more.  I know some of you are thinking that I’m full of it. 

Believe me, I know Tavien Feaster better than you do.  I went to a majority of his games during his high school career (and got feedback from coaches and friends about him for the games I missed).  I freakin’ taught the kid Sociology back when I was a social studies teacher.  Hell, his high school position coach is a very good friend of mine with whom I have plenty of football conversations with and exchanges of smack talk over who is better between the Eagles and Redskins (hint: it’s the Eagles).  And I have continued to follow Feaster during his stint with Clemson.  In short, I know him, so here’s the skinny.

Feaster Breakdown

If I had to make a pro comparison for Feaster, I would say that he reminds me of Jamaal Charles.  His greatest attribute is his straight-line speed and agility once he gets the ball in his hands.  He is a guaranteed first down and more if he gets the ball with any kind of open space, as he is very fast, quite elusive, and hard to bring down once he reaches his top speed.   He is more effective as an outside runner.  If the defense has slow edge defenders or fails to set the edge, he will be a nightmare to defend and will make you pay for it all day long.  That isn’t to say that he can’t be effective as an inside zone runner, as he has solid vision and will make use of the holes created by run blockers.  However, Feaster is probably at his deadliest when used as a receiver out of the backfield or when split out wide. 

During his high school career, Feaster accumulated 6,542 yards on offense and 78 total touchdowns, with 2,715 of those yards being receiving yards and 35 of those scores being receiving touchdowns.  Whether it’s a screen or swing route, Feaster is a serious threat to the defense with the ball in his hands due to his speed and agility.  He can even be used on go-routes if need be, as he has very good hands.  This creates a situation where defenses have to pick their poison.  Do they pray that one of their linebackers can keep up with Feaster?  Or do they risk exposing their centerfield by covering him with a safety?

Flaws

All that said, Feaster does have some flaws.  He is not the most powerful runner, so goal-line or short-yardage situations may not be the best time to use him.  He also has a somewhat lean frame, so giving him 20+ touches a game for an entire season might not be the best idea, and he does have a small injury history.  Finally, Feaster will just now be joining the Gamecocks, so he will not have a lot of time to learn and pick up the offense.  The Gamecocks’ staff will need to tailor their offense to Feaster’s strengths in order to quicken the transition. 

Tavien Feaster at Clemson

But wait a minute!  How come I’m only using his high school stats to describe how good he is?  And if he is that good, why is he transferring?  Well, Feaster had good stats at Clemson as well, but he quickly found himself in a very crowded backfield of Clemson RBs and was therefore unable to really show off his true potential.  Feaster wasn’t expected to do too much during his freshman year because he wasn’t needed.  Clemson already had an established bell-cow back in Wayne Gallman, so they felt no need to rush Feaster into service right away.  His sophomore season was supposed to be his time to shine.  However, it would be quickly overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Travis Etienne, an all-around back capable making defending him a living hell.  Feaster still had a great season, but it was clear that Etienne was the favorite in the backfield. 

The next year wasn’t any better.  Feaster would get less carries as it felt like if you weren’t Clemson’s lead back like Etienne, you got lost in the shuffle at times with the other capable RBs at Clemson’s disposal.  Even when Feaster was used, I felt that Clemson used him far too often on inside zone run plays, when it was clearly obvious that his strengths were as an outside runner or receiver.  I get it, the Clemson coaches know more than I do about football.  I won’t dispute that.  However, I really thought they could have used Feaster a lot more efficiently than they did at times. 

Feaster made the most out of his opportunities, but it became quite clear that his chance at starting for the Tigers wasn’t very good.  And with Clemson continuing to bring in highly-rated RBs from the high school ranks, it just didn’t seem like the right fit anymore.  Feaster transferring is a savvy business decision, seeing is how this next year will be his last year of eligibility and I’m sure that he has NFL aspirations.  He wants the opportunity to start and help his draft stock.  And honestly, you can’t blame him for doing what he believes is best for him. 

Forever to Thee

Which leads us to now.  Gamecock fans, I hope you understand that you’ve basically just scored yourself another great prospect.  Sure, it may only be for a year, but talent is talent.  I am sincerely rooting for him to succeed because I’ve followed him for a while now and while I don’t ever have a chance to talk to him anymore, people have told me that he has matured into a solid young man and that he just wants the chance to show the world what he’s truly made of.  If the Gamecock coaching staff can develop an offense around Feaster and use him properly, they will benefit greatly from the RB’s wealth of talent.  Time will only tell.  God-speed, Feast Mode!

Bramhall was born, raised, and currently lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  He is a graduate of Wofford College and Gardner-Webb University, and currently works as a high school guidance counselor.  However, his true home might as well be the state of Pennsylvania.  He is a huge Penn State Nittany Lions football fan.  He’s also the Philadelphia Eagles’ biggest fan, which used to be a miserable life of “what ifs” and “oh so close” moments.  But after his team won the Super Bowl, he is now a god among men and is never wrong about anything football.  If you didn’t like the Philly Special, he doesn’t like you.  The 76ers and Phillies are cool, too.  #TrustTheProcess #RingTheBell