Former USC QB Connor Mitch finds his landing spot

Former South Carolina quarterback Connor Mitch graduated this summer and will transfer to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

Mitch announced his intention to transfer in May. On Monday he announced his destination through Twitter.

Mitch has two years of eligibility remaining. James Madison is in the Colonial Athletic Association and is led by first-year coach Mike Houston, who led The Citadel to an upset win over the Gamecocks in 2015.

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 would like to thank everyone here at the University of South Carolina for 3 1/2 wonderful years that I will never forget. I have made friends that became brothers for a lifetime,” Mitch said Monday. “I want to thank the amazing die-hard fans that continue to show support for their university no matter the circumstances. I want to thank all of the coaches, medical staff, strength coaches and especially Coach Spurrier for giving someone like me a chance to play quarterback under a coach of his caliber.”

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.

“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,” head coach Will Muschamp said in a statement released by the school last month. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

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 June 27, 2016 at 3:14 PM with the headline "Former USC QB Connor Mitch finds his landing spot."