Newly Offered 4-star Running Back Prospect Plans To Take Official Visit With Gamecocks
SPORTSTALK / February 22, 2023
New USC offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is hoping to use his connections from his previous coaching stop in Arkansas to attract interest in the Gamecocks. USC lost a fast and powerful running back with the transfer of MarShawn Lloyd to Southern Cal. A prospect with a similar style Loggains recently offered is 4-star RB Braylen Russell (6-1 225) of Benton, AR.Loggains was involved with Russell while he was in Fayetteville. Russell actually committed to the Razorbacks in November of 2021 but decommitted in October of 2022. Loggains continued to recruit him then, and that relationship will help him some with the Gamecocks.
“Me and him had a good relationship, so when he moved there, we kept the relationship going. That made me really start looking into South Carolina, because of Coach Loggains,” Russell said. “When I first got offered by Arkansas, he was like the first person to reach out, so we’ve always had that type of connection. It just kept going from there.”
Russell has not yet visited USC, and he doesn’t know all that much about the program, though he did keep an eye on them this past season.
“I paid attention to them. I knew Spencer Rattler transferred to South Carolina and beat Tennessee. So, I kind of followed them throughout their season,” Russell said. :”I’m looking to take an OV to South Carolina soon, June or July. “Also, Tennessee and Arkansas. I don’t know about the other ones. I’m still thinking about it.’
Last season Russell rushed for nearly 1900 yards and 27 touchdowns. He said coaches love the combination of talents he brings to the position.
“I’m a big power back and fast,” he said. “I can get that one or two yards, but then also I can break away a fifty yarder.”
Russell has named a top 10 of USC, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kansas, Purdue, Ole Miss Cincinnati, Kansas State, Baylor and Texas A&M. He did not attend any January junior days. He did visit Arkansas for a game last season, and he’s also been to Ole Miss. He’s uncertain when he’ll make a decision.