South Carolina Football: 4-star QB, big-time leader signs with Gamecocks

The Early Signing Period for college football began on Wednesday, and National Letters of Intent have been flying in from all over the country. While most of those NLIs are not sent in via fax machine anymore, commitments are not official until paperwork is completed. The South Carolina football program is hoping to have most of their class secured by the end of the Early Signing Period.

One of the players in the class who made things official is 4-star quarterback Dante Reno.

Position: QB
Recruiting Ranking: 4 stars (ESPN, Rivals), 3 stars (On3, 247Sports); Elite 11; Under Armour All-American
Measurables: 6'2"; 205 pounds
Former Player Comp: Dylan Thompson

Dante Reno was the Gamecocks' first commitment in the class of 2024, and the quarterback showed himself to be a special person immediately. Not only is he a big-time Gamecock and recruiter of other prospects, Reno has already shown himself to be a real leader and a high-character individual.

However, Reno is a good football player, too.

Accolades have come Reno's way as he was an Elite 11 quarterback this past summer and was chosen as an Under Armour All-American (and will be his team's captain for the game). He has a quick release, makes smart decisions, and has the type of arm strength that allows him to drive the ball deep and zip shorter throws with real velocity.

While not really a dual-threat quarterback, Dante Reno is a decent athlete who can pull down the ball and run for first downs when needed.

Reno shares a lot of traits (both physical and otherwise) with former Gamecock Dylan Thompson. A high-character player with a strong arm, Thompson was a team leader even while a backup, and he put up one of the best seasons in school history once it was his time to take over the quarterback job. While those are unfair expectations to put on Reno, fans will be able to see the similarities in the two.

With LaNorris Sellers the presumed starter, and a veteran player expected to be brought in through the transfer portal, Reno isn't expected to play early with the Gamecocks, and a redshirt seems likely. However, if Sellers is as good as many South Carolina football fans believe he is, Reno could be in line to compete for the starting job when Sellers leaves for the professional ranks.

You can watch some of his film here.