Connor Mitch plans to graduate and transfer

South Carolina’s quarterback competition was whittled down by one Friday.

Junior quarterback Connor Mitch, who won last year’s preseason competition for the starting quarterback job, will graduate from the university this summer and transfer to another school to finish his playing career, the school announced Friday afternoon.

“Connor and I spoke today,” head coach Will Muschamp said in a statement released by the school. “Connor has the opportunity to graduate from South Carolina this summer and will look to continue his playing career at another university in the fall. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Mitch, a 6-foot-4, 214-pound former four-star prospect, won last year’s preseason competition to be the starting quarterback but lasted only two games due to shoulder and hip injuries. He completed 13-of-29 passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in his two starts and did not return the field the remainder of the season.

The Raleigh, N.C., native, one of the marquee offensive recruits of Steve Spurrier’s final years at South Carolina, was an honorable mention PARADE All-American who threw for more than 12,000 yards in his high school career.

“I have enjoyed my time at South Carolina and will graduate later this summer,” Mitch said in a statement released by the school. “I believe it’s in my best interest to continue my playing career at another school. I’d like to thank all the Gamecock fans for their support during my time in Columbia.”

Mitch’s father Bob did not return a message seeking comment. Mitch’s older brother Ryan began his collegiate career as a quarterback at Maryland before transferring, and his sister Brittany was a basketball player at Duke before transferring to finish her career. Mitch will have two years of eligibility remaining and will be able to play immediately wherever he goes if he graduates from South Carolina.

Mitch exited spring practice the third quarterback in the Gamecocks competition behind senior Perry Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain, but Muschamp stressed several times since the end of spring practice that he would give Mitch another chance in the competition this fall.

Orth and McIlwain will now be competing with sophomore Lorenzo Nunez and incoming freshman Jake Bentley for the starting job in the fall.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Connor Mitch plans to graduate and transfer."