South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and his staff have evaluated Alabama’s running back room for years, with particular familiarity with Daniel Hill and freshman EJ Crowell as they prepare for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina recruited Daniel Hill heavily out of high school and has followed his development at Alabama.
EJ Crowell drew attention because he was a high school teammate of South Carolina freshman QB Landon Duckworth.
Alabama’s rushing attack has been central early in 2026: 11 offensive touchdowns on the ground and three different backs topping 100 yards in the first three games.
# What South Carolina has watched South Carolina's staff has evaluated Alabama's running backs for years, and two names come up repeatedly: Daniel Hill and EJ Crowell. The Gamecocks' familiarity matters because Alabama's ground game has been a primary strength early in the 2026 season.
# How Alabama's run game looks so far Through three games, Alabama's offense has leaned on the run. The Crimson Tide have scored 11 offensive touchdowns on the ground, and three different running backs have eclipsed 100 rushing yards this season. That balance and production make preparing for multiple ballcarriers a coaching challenge.
# Carolina Shane Beamer said South Carolina recruited Daniel Hill heavily coming out of high school. Hill's physical profile and current play drew specific praise: "He's playing some great football right now, 230 pounds, rugged, hard to bring down." That combination of size and effectiveness in contact is part of what the Gamecocks have tracked.
# Why Crowell drew attention EJ Crowell was notable to South Carolina staff because he was a high school teammate of Landon Duckworth, South Carolina's freshman quarterback. Beamer described seeing Crowell play in person and immediately recognizing his potential as a college-level threat: "I remember thinking, oh, crap, you know, this guy's going to be a handful in college, and you're seeing that as a freshman." Crowell's early contributions for Alabama validated that attention.
# How the Gamecocks plan to prepare
# Immediate matchup context Alabama will host South Carolina on Saturday. The Gamecocks' coaching staff will face the practical task Beamer described: game-planning for a running-back room that has produced consistent production and includes players the staff has personally scouted.
# What to watch in the game
# Bottom line
The Alabama Crimson Tide have found massive success on the ground to begin the 2026 season. Alabama’s run game has taken a clear jump opposed to last season, and the running back room as a whole has made a critical impact on weekly basis. Star junior Daniel Hill has had a promising start to the […]
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The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday evening. Here are some important things to note prior to kickoff:
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