Why this South Carolina football recruit could be ‘special’ as a running back

Jaquel Holman loves playing running back and wouldn’t mind doing that in college next year.

The Blackville-Hilda High School senior committed to the Gamecocks earlier this summer after an impressive showing at one of coach Shane Beamer’s camps. South Carolina recruited him as an athlete and likely wanted him to play on defense in college. But Holman hopes to get a chance with the ball in his hands.

“Running back, for sure,” Holman said when asked about his favorite position earlier this month at SC PrepRedZone Media Day at Airport High School.

“It comes natural to me.”

Holman played on defense at South Aiken his first two years in high school and had 63 tackles as a sophomore before transferring to Blackville-Hilda in time for his junior season. B-H coach Kevin Jones was cutting grass at the school’s practice field when his athletic director brought down Holman to meet him.

Jones was immediately impressed when he saw the 6-foot-1, 193-pound Holman and told him he would have a chance to play on offense since B-H is a Class A school (the state’s smallest classification) and many on the roster play both sides.

After seeing Jones get the ball in the team’s practice, he knew he made the right decision.

“The first time at practice we gave him the ball, I was like, ‘Damn, that kid is a running back,’” Jones told The State this week at the South Carolina Athletic Coaches convention. “He has unbelievable balance, cutbacks and vision. Everything he does is at a high level. We are extremely happy to have him.”

Pittsburgh offered Holman at running back, and North Carolina State and Florida wanted to see him at the position. But he quickly shut down his recruiting down after committing to the Gamecocks on June 8. Holman also worked out at running back at the Shrine Bowl Combine this month.

The Gamecocks don’t have a traditional running back commitment in their recruiting Class of 2025.

Holman rushed for 1,610 yards and 26 touchdowns last year for B-H, which lost to state champion Christ Church in the Class A semifinals. He also caught a pair of touchdowns. On defense, he had 76 tackles, a sack and an interception.

Holman also won the 100-meter and 200-meter dash at the Class A track and field championships in May.

Jones plans to use Holman even more this year in the passing game and has lined him up as slot receiver in the team’s 7-on-7 passing events this summer.

The B-H coach said Holman plays a little like former USC great and current San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel for his ability to play both running back and receiver.

Jones coached against Samuel when he was an assistant at Blue Ridge and they faced Chapman. Holman said Samuel and Pharoh Cooper, another versatile South Carolina receiver from the late 2010s, were two of his favorite players growing up.

“He can play both sides of the ball,” Jones said of Holman. “I know his heart is probably toting the football, which is what all the kids are. He’s a guy that’s going to get a look on both sides of the ball on the next level.”

“He’s a long kid with speed, and he has everything you want in an SEC football player. He’s got a chance to be special.”

South Carolina football 2025 commits (18)

Jayden Sellers (WR) — committed Oct. 26, 2023

Brian Rowe (WR) — committed April 9

Damarcus Leach (DB) — committed April 10

Anthony Addison (DE) — committed April 12

Caleb Williams (DE) — committed April 21

Jaquel Holman (ATH) — committed June 8

Kobby Sakyi-Prah (DE) — committed June 10

Chris Hatfield (DB/WR) — committed June 11

Preston Douglas (TE) — committed June 12

AJ Holloway (LB) — committed June 14

Shedrick Sarratt (OL) — committed June 14

Max Kelley (K) — committed June 15

Jaquavious Dodd (DL) — committed June 20

Cutter Woods (QB) — committed June 24

Taeshawn Alston (DE) — committed June 25

Jaiden Braker (LB) — committed on July 6

Lex Cyrus (WR) — committed on July 11

Donvan Darden (DE/LB) — committed on July 15