South Carolina’s not naming a starter, but Jason Brown might finally get his shot
It’s been almost two months since reporters have heard from Jason Brown.
The former St. Francis (Pennsylvania) quarterback wasn’t exactly gleaming when he spoke on Aug. 31. Who would be after being beat out by a graduate assistant-turned-signal caller for the starting job who had just entered the QB competition in the three weeks prior?
But Brown, who enrolled at USC before spring practice, was mature and astute in his comments. He congratulated Zeb Noland on landing the gig in the wake of Luke Doty’s initial foot injury. His preparation, though, wouldn’t change.
“I’m just going to prepare like I’m the starter,” he said in late August. “And doing everything I can to put the team and myself in the best position to win.”
Two months and a pair of injuries later, Brown might finally get his shot.
Head coach Shane Beamer said on Wednesday’s Southeastern Conference teleconference that he won’t name a starter ahead of this weekend’s matchup with Florida. If Noland can’t go in the wake of surgery to address a torn meniscus, Brown would likely be handed the reins to the South Carolina offense.
Brown and Noland were not made available to speak with reporters this week.
“Jason’s done a nice job of preparing and going out there and practicing with confidence,” Beamer said. “We’ve got to put together a good plan to give whoever plays quarterback for us the opportunity to be successful.”
Fans have clamored for Brown to get a shot for months. Former players sounded support for Brown in interviews with The State last week. However, Brown has largely been relegated to mop-up duty behind Noland and Doty throughout this fall.
Heading into a Week 8 meeting with then-No. 17 Texas A&M, he’d thrown a total of six passes. Five came in the season opener against Eastern Illinois. The lone other toss of Brown’s South Carolina career arrived when Doty lost his helmet against Georgia, forcing him to sit out a play in Athens.
Against the Aggies, Brown was given his most leeway to date. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 84 yards. He connected on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Traevon Kenion as time whittled down in Texas A&M’s 44-14 rout. He also tossed two interceptions, one on a badly underthrown ball in the back left corner of the end zone.
“The moment wasn’t too big for him,” Beamer said postgame. “He sat in the pocket and made some throws. Certainly some throws that he would like to have back and that maybe were a little off ... but for his first game action, I thought he came in and did a great job.”
Since news broke Oct. 25 that Noland would undergo surgery during USC’s bye week, the assumption has been that Brown would get the nod if Noland can’t play.
Brown and freshman Colten Gauthier have both gotten chances to lead the offense in recent days as Noland works back to full health. During the open week, the pair even led two-minute drills that were normally reserved for Noland and Doty.
Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield pointed to Brown’s consistency in his day-to-day work. When the Gamecocks might be away from practice, Brown would send Satterfield texts here and there to check in.
On the nights Beamer has been in the Long Family Football Operations Center late, he’s seen Brown pop his head into the film room to add a few more mental reps.
“When I say I’ve got confidence in all our quarterbacks, that’s why,” Beamer said. “I see what Jason does on the field, but I also see how Jason prepares during the week, as well. We’ve got confidence in Jason. He’s had a good week of practice.”
“I’ve said it for a long time, he’s a natural leader, a natural quarterback,” Satterfield added Wednesday. “And even when he wasn’t playing, he had that intangible — just like shooting me a random text, or things he would say on the sideline or in the locker room, or how he is in the meeting room, how he would prepare. He’s always had that.”
Heading into this weekend’s crucial tilt with Florida, South Carolina’s offense has continued to flounder. The revolving door at quarterback certainly hasn’t helped — Beamer said as much on Tuesday.
Right or wrong, Brown hasn’t been given many opportunities to really let loose since he arrived in Columbia. That could change this weekend.
Having dropped 20 pounds over the offseason, made use of his time as the No. 3 quarterback this fall and turning in an inspiring enough performance in Aggieland, Brown might finally get his first real chance on Saturday.
South Carolina vs Florida football game
Who: South Carolina Gamecocks (4-4, 1-4 SEC) vs. Florida Gators (4-4, 2-4 SEC)
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: SEC Network
Line: Florida by 18
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
