October 20, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Dylan Thompson (17) throws the ball during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 44-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
No this post has nothing to do with Connor Shaw. He’ll finish the year as SC’s starter and he’ll probably start every game next year, too.
Still, next year, a quarterback controversy will develop behind him.
Dylan Thompson vs Brendan Nosovitch.
Despite two great games against ECU and UAB, Dylan Thompson hasn’t proven anything yet. He’s played awful against Vanderbilt and Florida, and those performances have tempered Gamecock fans expectations.
Nosovitch was a high school phenom setting Pennsylvania’s record for total yards at 12,877. He also finished his career second in state passing yards with just under 10,000 and touchdowns with 106.
This spring will be the first time fans get to see him, and I expect them to come away impressed.
The coaches probably will leave the spring game similarly impressed.
Throughout next fall, the big question will be “can Nosovitch overtake Thompson for the backup QB spot?”
He might not be good enough, but just competing for that slot is a mark of how far the Gamecocks have come since Spurrier got here.
Once Shaw graduates after next season, there could even be a three way battle for the starting spot between Thompson, Nosovitch and 2013 four star recruit Connor Mitch.
It’s too early to tell who will win that spot, but having a bunch of capable passers is better than not having one at all.