Robby Ashford spent only one season in Columbia, but after stops at Oregon, Auburn, and South Carolina, he is looking to make an impact at Wake Forest.
Ashford transferred to South Carolina in 2024 as a veteran option to compete with LaNorris Sellers for the starting job after Spencer Rattler's departure. Sellers emerged as the clear QB1 that spring, but Ashford proved to be an important piece of the Gamecocks' depth. He played in eight games, threw for 376 total yards, and scored three touchdowns, including a strong showing in a win over Akron.
When Sellers went down against LSU, Ashford stepped in seamlessly, earning the trust of head coach Shane Beamer and his fellow teammates. That trust was more than evident when Beamer allowed him to keep practicing and traveling with the team through the bowl game, even though he entered the Transfer Portal earlier that month.
In January, Ashford committed to Wake Forest. First-year head coach Jake Dickert praised him for his athleticism and competitiveness. The Demon Deacons, coming off of consecutive losing seasons, were picked to finish 16th out of 17 ACC teams in the preseason poll. Ashford is currently is a QB battle with Charlotte transfer Deshawn Purdie, but reports indicate he is the clear favorite.
“Robby Ashford, he’s a special talent and a special kid,” Wake Forest center Devin Kylany said. “He’s not taking this moment for granted.”
There are still questions about Ashford's passing accuracy. His is a career 51.8% passer with an 11:9 touchdown to intereception ratio. His running ability is also undeniable, with more than 900 career yards on the ground in the SEC. Dickert has made it clear that Ashford will have a role in the offense regardless of who starts.
For Ashford, Wake Forest represents one final chance to lead a team and leave a lasting impression on the college football landscape, just as he did with his short but impactful time as a Gamecock.