Only once can the folks around Troy, Ohio, remember pulling against their beloved Ohio State Buckeyes.

But in Troy, there's someone who stands taller than the Buckeyes -- running back Ryan Brewer. It's not often that Brewer, generously listed at 5-10, is lauded for his height. Coaches are more apt to talk about his heart.

But the South Carolina running back/receiver looked down at Ohio State an entire afternoon on Jan. 1 in the Outback Bowl. Brewer took his cult-hero status in Troy to another level that day, rushing for 109 yards and amassing 219 total yards.

In doing so, he won the Outback's MVP trophy and established himself as the Gamecocks' most versatile player. He also delivered a measure of payback against Ohio State coach John Cooper, who refused to offer Brewer a scholarship even though Brewer was Mr. Football in Ohio at Troy High School.

Despite running through the Buckeyes from the tailback position, Brewer returns to receiver this fall, a position he learned last season.

"I've still got a lot more to prove," said Brewer, a junior.

While he thinks of himself as a tailback and probably always will, Brewer has found a home as a slot receiver in South Carolina's spread offense. He finished last season as the team's second-leading receiver with 36 catches for 418 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Since arriving at South Carolina, Brewer has played both tailback and receiver. He even punted some last season. But with 1,000-yard rusher Derek Watson, who was suspended for the Outback Bowl, returning at tailback, Brewer's best chance to get on the field is at receiver.

"I love tailback; that's my home," he said.

"But it doesn't matter to me. I had started to improve at receiver, and there are things I'm learning there that will help me out in the long run."

But the Gamecocks know if they ever need help at tailback, they can count on Brewer.

"It's good to know they have the confidence to put me back there if they need me," he said.

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