The South Carolina Gamecocks have officially reported for fall camp in Columbia, and the countdown to kick off is officially on. And head coach Shane Beamer has finally offered a little clarity to one of the lingering questions surrounding the 2025 Gamecock Football team: Who will back up starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers? While Sellers is firmly set as QB1 heading into a pivotal season for the Gamecocks, the backup spot has remained uncertain throughout the offseason. That question was answered this week when Beamer confirmed that senior quarterback Luke Doty holds the QB2 position, at least for the time being.
“Luke’s got the most experience,” Beamer told the media at practice. “If we played Virginia Tech tomorrow, and LaNorris had to come out of the game for a play, Luke would be the next quarterback in the game as we stand here today.”
Doty, a familiar face in Columbia, is entering his fifth season with the Gamecocks. He has been a part of the program since 2020, appearing in 19 games, starting several of those as quarterback. In his tenure as a Gamecock, he has thrown for 1,243 yards and nine touchdowns with eight interceptions. He has also spent the past two seasons contributing as a wide receiver while staying ready at the QB position. And his veteran leadership in the locker room and on the field, Doty is also respected for his team-first mentality.
South Carolina will open its season against Virginia Tech on Sunday, August 31 in the Aflac Kickoff Game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.