Is RB Max Elliott this year's Shrine Bowl surprise?

South Carolina’s team brought three RBs to the game—Marcus Lattimore, perhaps the best at his position in the nation; Mustafa Greene, also a prominent national recruit, and Max Elliott.

Who?

Max Elliott is a 5-foot-8, 165-pound speedster from Clover High.

And on a team loaded with stars, hardly anyone seemed to know who he was. Until practice started, that is.

On Monday and Tuesday, he rapidly grabbed attention. As the three running backs ran their plays, there seemed to be no noticeable falloff in speed and quickness from the top two to Max, although the size difference is obvious.

“Max Elliott has been a very nice surprise,” said South Carolina head coach Lewis Lineberger, who already had to like him enough to put him on the squad in the first place. "I didn't know he was this good."

Keep an eye on the kid. If he plays this well in Saturday’s game, Division I offers could follow.

--Stan Olson