Luke Doty the ‘geezer’? How he’s embracing old-man role in final season at USC
He wasn’t an all-Southeastern Conference selection, but Luke Doty made at least one interesting preseason list.
The Athletic named the 24-year-old South Carolina quarterback/athlete to its annual All-Geezer College Football Team released on July 18. The publication started naming the team in 2021, the first season that “super seniors” (players who have played more than four years) started taking advantage of their free year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Doty, whose first year at USC was in 2020, made the All-Geezer team as an all-purpose player. The former Myrtle Beach High standout has played both quarterback and receiver as he enters his sixth year for the Gamecocks. He took a redshirt year in 2022 because of an injury and was given a sixth year because of COVID-19.
Doty is one of three high-profile players from the SEC on the list, joining Kentucky quarterback Zach Calzada and Texas A&M QB Jacob Zeno.
“Describing Doty as ‘all-purpose’ is a stretch, but we had to find some way to recognize a guy who, once upon a time, was the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback for six games (two in 2020, four in 2021),” The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel and Sam Khan Jr. wrote of Doty. “This seems like the most respectable way possible to honor an all-around good person, good student and good teammate who now mostly plays on special teams.”
Doty was made aware of the story by his father. He immediately got a laugh out of it.
“I didn’t actually read it, but I thought it was pretty funny. I guess it is an honor to be a geezer,” Doty said July 31 at USC’s on-campus media day. “It is a fortunate situation, where obviously with COVID, that is a year, and then redshirting is a year. So crazy times but I have made the most of it and continue to be better every single year. I have gotten two degrees out of it as well. It has been everything I can ask for.”
Doty, who has a degree in psychology and master’s in coaching with an emphasis in mental performance, wasn’t the only one to get a laugh out of the story. His teammates also thought it was funny, and it gives them more ammunition for jokes made at Doty’s expense.
Some of Doty’s nicknames with the Gamecocks already included grandpa, unc (short for uncle) and prehistoric.
“Every time Luke starts talking, everyone is like, here we go, grandpa stuff. We just give him a hard time but he laughs it off,” USC starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers said. “But he has helped me ever since I got here even before I got here. We used to train together with Ramon Robinson. He helps me keep from losing my mind when things aren’t going well out here for me. He has always been there for me.”
Doty, who isn’t the oldest player on the team, is probably the most notable because of his position at QB and that he was a sought-after recruit coming out of high school. He has embraced his role as one of the elder statesmen in the locker room and posted the hashtag #Unc with his Instagram post talking about the start of the season.
“We have a good time with it,” Doty said.
Doty has made six starts at QB during his career but has appeared in 40 games combined as QB, receiver and on special teams. During portions of practice open to the media this year, Doty was seen on special teams but his main job is expected to be as a backup quarterback.
USC coach Shane Beamer announced that Doty entered preseason practice as the No. 2 quarterback behind Sellers and ahead of Ohio State transfer Air Noland and freshman Cutter Woods.
“Fun to be a guy who has been a veteran and seen a lot and done a lot,” Doty said. “I can bring a little bit of knowledge to coach [Mike] Shula (offensive coordinator) and that room and support those guys and make sure they are just as prepared as the starter or backup.”
Whether he plays a big role on the field this season remains to be seen. But Doty said he is sure to enjoy his final ride with the Gamecocks. He is not worried about what the future holds for him after his USC days are done.
And when asked about his favorite memory during his extended time with the program, his answer was simple — putting on the Gamecocks uniform each week.
“I think every time I get to step on the field at Williams-Brice is my favorite memory. A lot of people would love to experience that and the role I have had, playing for this university. Being able to do that on a weekly basis is part of the dream,” Doty said. “... Going to be surreal and put a wrap on six years of playing ball at this university and everything that comes along with it. I don’t know exactly when our senior day is but we will make it a good one.”
This story was originally published August 8, 2025 at 8:15 AM.
