CHARLOTTE — On the inside of Rahsul Faison's right arm, just above his elbow, is a tattoo of the NFL logo. The shield is immediately noticeable, a beacon amongst a tapestry, and a constant reminder for the South Carolina running back.
"I wouldn't stop until I got there," said Faison, glancing down at his tattoo following the Gamecocks' pro day in March. "So I got this, probably about three years ago, and I just told myself I've got to go get it, and that's what I'm doing right now."
Right now, "going to get it" looks like building on his combine and pro day performance, while reminding teams of what he's proven on the field the last couple of years. The Pennsylvania native has walked a long road to get to this point, through five schools and three years on the field, to earn this dream.
His 2024 season at Utah State saw him carry the ball 198 times for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 22 receptions for 99 yards. After transferring to South Carolina and earning a final season of eligibility from the NCAA, he finished off with 96 carries for 470 yards and three touchdowns, plus 19 receptions for 118 yards through the air.
"That (2024) season just was able to show teams I can handle the workload, you know, I'm a three-down guy," Faison explained. "I could block. I can catch the ball out of the backfield, and when the ball is in my hand, they know what to expect. So I just felt like it just showed that I'm a complete player."
The NFL season is significantly longer than the college schedule. It can lead to a rookie wall for some guys. But having those 220 touches in 2024 taught the back how to manage the load.
"You've got to take care of your body, you've got to stay in the training room," he said. "Stay getting treatment and definitely eat the right things so that all plays a big factor in just keeping your body healthy for Saturday, well now Sunday for sure."
While it has been a lot of work in a short amount of time, Faison also knows having just three years on the field means he still has a lot of tread on the tires. He's ready to hit the ground running, pun intended, but has the life experience to balance it with, creating a unique prospect as teams look to add depth to their rooms.
"I'm super healthy. I mean, I haven't had any injuries. I only played for three and a half seasons, so I don't have a lot of touches on my body. I can do it all, and, like I said, I don't (have any) injuries. You can just look at the genetics I come from.
"I've been multiple places. I've dealt with a lot of adversity, so nothing I'm walking into can faze me. So I'm ready for whatever.
"It's a blessing because you know I've been through a lot in my career and my journey, and to finally make it to this point, it just means everything to me, so I'm super grateful to be here for sure."
And when the process gets long or difficult, he just looks down, glancing at his tattoo—the reminder of all he's been working towards and all that is still to come.
"This has been my dream since I was like four years old, so I just got that tattoo when I overcame some adversity I had, and I told myself when I get back out there, I'm going to get there, so here we go."
Check out some of our favorite photos of running back Chuba Hubbard throughout the 2025 season.
The Carolina Panthers hold voluntary workouts on Monday, May. 19, 2025 in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sep. 7, 2025, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sep. 17, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sep. 17, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers host the Nationwide Punt, Pass, Kick event at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025 in Charlotte, NC (Photo by Lester Barnes/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers face the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sep. 28, 2025 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers host Bank of America inside access combine on Oct. 14, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Laura Wolff/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers depart to face the New York Jets on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The Carolina Panthers face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 26, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers hold practicel on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers depart to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers host camp on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC
