Former 4-star QB had his view set on South Carolina for a potential landing spot

The transfer portal always gives and takes away, and most people believe that is the case only for coaches, but it is true for players as well. For Ohio State quarterback Air Noland, the transfer portal made the quarterback room very crowded for the Buckeyes, and he probably didn't see a lot of opportunity for playing time in his future, resulting in his decision to enter the transfer portal as well.

Coming out of high school, Noland was a four-star rated quarterback and one of the top QB prospects in the Class of 2024, making him a target for many big programs. According to On3's Industry Rankings, Noland was the No. 5 QB coming in his class and the No. 59 ranked prospect in the country.

Even with talent like his, Noland could see the writing on the wall at Ohio State and that multiple guys were in front of him, and his best shot at playing was going to be with another program.

It has been announced that Noland has been making his visit, and his next official visit is to South Carolina, a place that may not need a starting quarterback right now but could in the near future.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that LaNorris Sellers is going to be the starting quarterback at South Carolina until he decides to move on or isn't healthy. The way head coach Shane Beamer spoke about Sellers after the Clemson win is proof enough that Sellers is probably not going to be downgraded to a backup while he is with the Gamecocks.

While that may not be what Noland wants to hear, there is one thing that might really spark his interest when it comes to South Carolina. The Gamecocks' backup quarterback, Robby Ashford, announced when the portal opened his plans to enter but asked Beamer if he could stick around with the squad for the bowl game. Beamer talked with his squad and it was a resounding yes, so Ashford will be available for the bowl game.

However, after that, the backup position will be wide open for the taking, and it might be Noland's best shot. As a young player, Noland still needs refining in the college football world and sitting behind a quarterback such as Sellers, who got the opportunity to be a starter as a redshirt freshman, could be very beneficial.

Noland did not appear in a single game for Ohio State in the 2024 season, but even as a backup at South Carolina, he could see the field more. Ashford was the third leading rusher for the Gamecocks in 2024, he did play for a game and a half for the injured Sellers, but Beamer would bring him in for certain rushing looks, giving him an opportunity to make a showing.

If Noland can be a solid rushing threat, especially with star running back Raheim Sanders heading to the NFL, he could serve as a close QB2 behind Sellers and find himself in those rushing looks as well.