South Carolina’s new running backs coach, Stan Drayton, is going to get familiar with Clemson pretty quickly.

Shane Beamer just hired Drayton away from Penn State, where he was the running backs coach this season. However, before getting started with the Gamecocks, Drayton is planning to finish the season with the Nittany Lions, who will face the Tigers in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27.

“Let’s go beat Clemson,” Drayton told The Fan Upstate on Friday after being introduced at South Carolina.

Drayton is one of the more well-respected running back coaches in the country, having spent time at both the collegiate level and the NFL. Drayton even served as the head coach at Temple for three years (2022-24).

With the help of Drayton, Penn State is averaging 177.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 46 nationally.

Clemson ranks No. 14 in the country in rushing defense, surrendering 102.8 yards per contest. The Tigers just held the Gameocks to 41 total rushing yards in the 28-14 win two weeks ago in Columbia.

However, Penn State and Drayton will be without star running back Nicholas Singleton when the Nittany Lions meet the Tigers. The senior has already opted out, announcing intentions to enter the NFL Draft next spring.

Splitting the workload this season with Kaytron Allen, Singleton recorded 768 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns in 12 games.

The former five-star running back finishes his four-year Penn State career as the program’s all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns and all-purpose touchdowns (including receptions and kick returns).

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