The South Carolina Gamecocks are trying to forget the 2014 season, and they’re going to move on by having the first real quarterback battle in Columbia since 2011. Dylan Thompson has graduated, and the remaining quarterbacks have very little experience. Sophomore Connor Mitch has the early nod though, being listed as the No. 1 quarterback on the first spring depth chart. (Via The Post and Courier)
Being listed as the starter before spring practice clearly doesn’t guarantee Mitch the job, but he has an advantage now. Head coach Steve Spurrier has been at it again with his smart comments, trying to light a fire under the former North Carolina high school standout. Mitch hasn’t had the best work ethic thus far in Columbia, but quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus has spoken positively about his progress since the season ended.
“The light bulb always comes on at some point,” Mangus said, “and he’s starting to figure it out.” (Via The Post and Courier)
The rest of the competition isn’t much further behind though, seeing as none of them have extensive playing time.
Junior Perry Orth and redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia will also be competing for the starting spot in the spring. Orth shared the backup job with Mitch last year, and Scarnecchia is on Spurrier’s good side. Both players are still in the fight and will get a fair look from Spurrier during spring.
Freshman Lorenzo Nunez is also in the picture, but he won’t arrive in Columbia until the summer. Missing spring practice won’t necessarily keep Nunez out of the starting lineup, but it will make it a lot harder for the 6-foot-2 dual-threat weapon to start this year. The coaching staff is excited about the possibility of having another Connor Shaw and Nunez will definitely be in the conversation in 2016. (Via GoGamecocks)
All of these quarterbacks will believe they have the chance to start, but Mitch has the early edge. We’ll learn more once spring practice begins on March 17th.
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