Post-spring positional breakdown: Quarterbacks

The last time South Carolina had an incumbent quarterback heading into an offseason was after the 2018 year.

That was Jake Bentley, who would have been entering his third full season as the team’s starter before injury sidelined him for the rest of the 2019 season. Going into this offseason, the Gamecocks have Spencer Rattler set to return at a position of strength for this South Carolina team.

Let’s see where South Carolina stands at quarterback with fall practices set to resume in a few months.

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Departures

The lone departure from the Gamecocks’ quarterback room is Braden Davis, who entered the transfer porta and subsequently committed to Syracuse.

Davis made a positive first impression as an incoming freshman with a 25-yard touchdown pass in last year’s spring game. Despite that, he was buried in the depth chart and did not see any game action for South Carolina in his lone season with the program.

He was listed as the No. 570 player and No. 32 quarterback in the class of 2022, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Returners

This season, the Gamecocks are bringing back their top two options at quarterback in Spencer Rattler and Luke Doty.

Rattler joined South Carolina in a highly-anticipated transfer move from Oklahoma in December 2021. Expectations were high for Rattler from the get-go, and his late-season performances more than surpassed them.

Before that, though, Rattler experienced some growing pains stemming from systematic changes and higher-quality opposition. Through his first 10 games, he averaged just under 200 passing yards per game (198.2) and threw more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8).

Rattler kicked into second gear during the team’s final three contests, leading South Carolina to multiple wins over top-10 opponents. He had his best performance of the season against then-No. 5 Tennessee, completing 81.1 percent of his passes for 438 yards and six touchdowns without throwing an interception. He followed that up with a 360-yard, two-touchdown performance to lead the Gamecocks offense in a 31-30 win over Clemson.

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After throwing for 246 yards and two touchdowns in the Gator Bowl against Notre Dame, Rattler finished the 2022 season with 3,026 yards, 66.2 percent completion percentage and an 18-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Surrounded by more offensive weapons this upcoming season, he has the potential to be an early-round NFL Draft pick.

Rattler will likely be backed up by Doty, who took a redshirt last season after appearing in five games. Doty completed 71.4 percent of his passes recorded 146 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions across those matchups.

He has spent time as both a starter and backup for the Gamecocks, providing the quarterback room with valuable leadership. In three seasons with South Carolina, Doty has thrown for 1,380 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Another two quarterbacks returning to the fold in 2023 are Colten Gauthier and Tanner Bailey.

Gauthier has appeared in one game for the Gamecocks. He went a perfect 1-1 for 19 yards in South Carolina’s 2022 season opener against Eastern Illinois.

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Bailey did not play in any games last season but made some road trips as a third-string quarterback. He was rated the No. 347 overall player and No. 19 quarterback in the class of 2022, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Newcomers

The Gamecocks did not make any big moves in the transfer portal, as they did with Rattler last year. However, they may have found their quarterback of the future in LaNorris Sellers.

Sellers, a four-star recruit from South Florence High School, showcased his skills as a dual-threat quarterback in his senior season. In the air, he totaled 2,948 yards, 45 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He added 1,338 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, helping the Bruins win a 4A state title.

Sellers showed similar flashes of athleticism in the Garnet and Black spring game last month. Despite completing just three of eight passes, he showcased his arm strength on a 50-yard pass to DJ Black. He also ran for a game-high 42 yards on eight carries, eluding defenders both within and outside the pocket.

Many fans and analysts are hoping to see Sellers be used as a late-game, change-of-pace quarterback this fall. It will be interesting to see what role he plays for the team in 2023 and beyond.

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