South Carolina football quarterback commitment Dante Reno is already a beloved Gamecock even though he won’t be enrolled officially at the University of South Carolina until the winter. The 4-star gunslinger has endeared himself to Carolina fans with his enthusiasm for his future school and his relentless efforts in recruiting other players to join the 2024 class.
Reno has been so entrenched in Gamecock recruiting news that he has become underrated as a player, himself. Fans received a reminder about how good the New England product can be when he received an invitation to the Elite 11 quarterback showcase in Los Angeles, an annual event in which about 20 top quarterback recruits are invited to compete.
While in LA, Reno showcased some impressive tools that should have South Carolina football fans excited and future opponents worried.
According to Breakaway Data‘s Ball Score, a composite of a quarterback’s average velocity of throws and average quickness of throw release, Reno was the 4th-most impressive quarterback of all the elite signal callers at the Elite 11 showcase.
The @breakawaydata Ball Score combines a QBs average velocity (MPH) and average release time (seconds) from 12 throws made at the BreakAway station. The higher the score, the faster and quicker the ball is delivered. Top 10 #Elite11 Finals B/A Ball Scores from Wednesday are here! pic.twitter.com/UVxshGR07G
— Elite11 (@Elite11) June 16, 2023
Reno is the son of Yale football head coach Tony Reno, and the younger Reno displayed his “football IQ” by performing well in the classroom portion of the Elite 11 showcase. An elite understanding of the game is essential for quarterbacks, and it appears that the Gamecocks are bringing in a quarterback who has that understanding in spades.
Playing his upcoming senior season at Cheshire Academy in Massachusetts, Reno will compete against high-level competition around New England. His teammate at Cheshire Academy, 4-star linebacker Elijah Newby, is considering the Gamecocks, as well.
Reno is set to be an early enrollee at the University of South Carolina after he graduates from high school this fall.
The 2024 recruiting class is in position to potentially be a top-10 group in the nation for the Gamecocks.