South Carolina football: 3 questions at the quarterback position
By Jacob Elsey
1. HOW DO SIGNAL CALLERS ADAPT TO NEW PLAYBOOK?
Following his fifth season as head coach, Will Muschamp brought in his third offensive coordinator in his Gamecock tenure, as he hopes to turn around an offensive that ranked 104th nationally in scoring a year ago.
Mike Bobo, a former play caller at the University of Georgia, comes to Columbia after five seasons as head coach of the Colorado State Rams. He brings a wealth of knowledge, proven success, and a new offensive scheme to South Carolina.
While Bobo is seen as an upgrade to the offense, there are also drawbacks that may be magnified in this COVID-shortened 2020 offseason.
The Gamecocks have four quarterbacks on the depth chart, three of which are unfamiliar with Bobo and his system. Incumbent Ryan Hilinski appears to have the starting role locked up, but the sophomore’s now learning his second offense in as many seasons. And with the Coronavirus pandemic shutting down spring and summer practices, he’s had little time to take live reps, build timing with receivers, and truly learn how the scheme is run.
The same can be said for reserves Jay Urich and Luke Doty, who are also in their first seasons with Bobo.
The Gamecocks do have the luxury of having one quarterback that knows the system backwards and front, though. Collin Hill transferred from Colorado State earlier this year, after spending the last four seasons with coach Bobo. He is recovering from his third knee injury, which may prevent him from making an early impact on the field, but he’ll certainly be an asset in the quarterback room that is, otherwise, pretty young.
Learning and executing this new look offense could be the biggest key to the success of the South Carolina season.