South Carolina has its starting quarterback in LaNorris Sellers. There’s no doubt about it. Beyond that? Everything else at QB is to be determined. A handful of Gamecocks are vying for the coveted backup quarterback spot on Shane Beamer’s roster: sixth-year Swiss army knife Luke Doty; freshman Cutter Woods; young Ohio State transfer Air Noland; resident mega-recruiter Dante Reno; and walk-on Jimmy Francis.
Each quarterback saw some action during South Carolina’s spring game Friday night at Williams-Brice Stadium. Woods and Doty stood out above the others, but Beamer said he wasn’t quite ready to set a depth chart in the quarterback room. “Pleased with all those guys. They’ve all flashed and they’re all trending in the right direction,” Beamer said.
Cutter Woods impresses The freshman from Anderson put on quite the showing in his first game as a Gamecock. Woods finished 6 of 13 through the air for 120 yards. He tallied more passing yards than any other quarterback on the night, though he did throw an interception. Woods’ 1-yard rushing TD was one of the two touchdowns scored in the spring game. “Certain guys, when the lights come on, they just elevate their games,” Beamer said. “And that’s Cutter Woods. He’s a winner.” Woods’ first pass attempt was a 51-yard deep ball to Vandrevius Jacobs. That set up Woods’ touchdown rush a few plays later. “Cutter came out and did his thing,” Sellers said. Beamer raved about Woods’ competitive spirit and said he knew he’d be talented based off his play in high school, as well as how he performed in the team’s wiffle ball tournament in the offseason. “He’s got something about him. There’s no question about it,” Beamer said. “Certainly, there’s plays he’d like that back tonight, but he’s got a chance to be a really good player. He just enjoys being out there. He’s always got a smile on his face. “I was telling somebody last week, for about 20 plays, we made the quarterbacks live in our scrimmage last week, where they can be tackled. And here’s a guy fresh out of high school going against an SEC defense, knowing he’s about to get hit by Dylan Stewart and these guys. And he’s just out there smiling, having the time of his life.”
Efficiency from Luke Doty The veteran in the quarterback room, and the team in general, was extremely accurate Friday. Doty was 10 for 12 for 85 passing yards and a touchdown. He connected with freshman receiver Malik Clark for a 16-yard touchdown pass that ended up being the difference in the game for the Garnet team. After the game, Beamer said Doty, who has nearly split his career between wide receiver and quarterback, is “absolutely” vying for the backup quarterback job. “What we saw tonight is that what he’s been doing all spring,” Beamer said. “… He’s just a really good football player. He’s a great teammate, he’s a great leader. He makes our team better whether he’s playing receiver, whether he’s playing special teams, whether he’s playing quarterback. He makes us better.” Doty’s athleticism, combined with his experience, is a key thing to have in a very young quarterback room, Beamer said.
“He’s improving as a passer. He knows he’s got to improve there,” Beamer said. “But he can get himself out of trouble and he’s an athlete, he can create. And most importantly, he has experience.” As for where he’s most comfortable, Doty said it doesn’t matter where he plays. Being asked to play QB again is “just like riding a bike” for Doty. “You never really lose it,” Doty said. “I feel like I’ve had a pretty good spring. Obviously, just being comfortable with the offense and I’m an old guy, so it helps to have a couple years of experience under my belt. I played a lot of games here had some success, ups and downs, and really wouldn’t be in the position I am now if it wasn’t for those ups and downs and just everything I’ve been through.”
Checking in on Air Noland, Dante Reno and Jimmy Francis Noland and Reno played the most of the other three quarterbacks on the roster. Noland was 9-for-16 through the air for 67 yards and an interception. Reno was 1 for 5 for one passing yard and was sacked once. Walk-on Jimmy Francis didn’t get much playing time and did not log a pass attempt during the spring game.
