Coach Beamer Says Luke Doty Is Gamecocks’ Starting QB

First-year South Carolina head football coach Shane Beamer wanted to emerge from spring practice with a starting quarterback, and it seems he has found his guy.

Beamer recognizes there’s a summer of offseason work and a preseason camp to continue to earn that job, but says that sophomore Luke Doty will be the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks as the team breaks following spring practice.

“Unless something totally changes between now and when we watch the tape, Luke Doty is our starting quarterback,” Beamer said immediately following the Garnet & Black Spring Game on Sunday, per 247 Sports.

Beamer said naming a starter won’t take away any competition for the QB position, which will proceed through the summer, but that it will reiterate Doty’s skill and leadership.

“We’re competing, don’t get me wrong,” Beamer said. “Luke has to continue to get better. Luke has to continue to progress over the summer. Luke has to have a great preseason training camp. But coming out of spring practice, he’s our starting quarterback, and it’s his job to continue to earn that and continue to compete between now and the Eastern Illinois game.”

Doty completed 5-of-7 passes for a total of 54 yards in the game over the weekend. He didn’t throw or rush for a touchdown, but he did lead the first-team offense on a pair of touchdown drives, which came at the start of the first and second halves, per the Big Spur.