Consider Clemson’s coaches impressed with South Carolina QB Jason Brown
Dabo Swinney admitted Tuesday that he didn’t know much about South Carolina quarterback Jason Brown a few weeks ago.
But the Clemson head coach is up to speed now on USC’s starting signal caller and will get a good look at him Saturday when the Gamecocks (6-5) host the Tigers (8-3) at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Brown started the season as the team’s third-string QB behind Luke Doty and Zeb Noland. He came in for an injured Noland against Texas A&M on Oct. 23 and made his first start against Florida on Nov. 6.
South Carolina is 2-1 with Brown as a starter, including wins over Florida and Auburn. The Auburn win last Saturday got South Carolina bowl-eligible in Shane Beamer’s first season.
“I’m impressed with him. I had never heard of him. I didn’t know who he was. I obviously knew about (Luke) Doty and the unbelievable story about the grad assistant coach (Noland) going to quarterback. That’s an amazing, amazing story. I didn’t know about this kid,” Swinney said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “He’s done a nice job. He came in, the first time I saw him I guess was Texas A&M. He came in in that game and really did some good stuff all the way till the last play. The game is over, but he’s playing.
“... I think he’s taken advantage of his opportunity. He’s poised, he can throw the football and he’s got a good understanding of what they’re doing. He’s settling down. He’s made some big plays. He’s extended a few plays where he’s found some guys, and had a touchdown against Florida. He extended, got out, found No. 6 (Josh Vann) wide open in the end zone. He’s doing a good job for them, a really good job.”
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables also has been impressed with Brown’s development and his growth as the team’s starter. Brown transferred to USC in March with teammate E.J. Jenkins from Francis, an FCS school in Pennsylvania.
Brown arrived at USC a little overweight at 245 pounds, has since dropped 20 pounds and has gotten more confident with being at a Southeastern Conference school. He also has been efficient in the passing game and has shown that the moment has not been too big for him.
Brown has appeared in six games this season and is 52-of-89 passing for 654 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He has thrown only two interceptions in 69 passing attempts since taking over as starter.
“You don’t have a lot of data to evaluate him. I know in high school, he’s the same guy that can hurt you with both his arms and his legs, so the more he plays, the more comfortable he’s getting and becoming,” Venables said. “The staff is learning ways to take advantage of his strengths and protect him from whatever weakness he might have, putting him in position to be successful and their offense to be successful. ...
“I think they’re doing a really good job. With being the third-team quarterback, that’s a very difficult position for any staff to be in. I think they’re doing a really nice job and I think he’s probably exceeding everyone’s expectations because I like what I’ve seen from him.”
This story was originally published November 23, 2021 at 2:03 PM.
