Gamecocks are ‘definitely top three’ for four-star quarterback Dante Reno
Four-star class of 2024 quarterback Dante Reno was in Columbia late last week visiting with the South Carolina football program.
The State caught up with the 6-foot-1, 215 pound Massachusetts native to discuss how it went and where South Carolina stands in his recruitment process.
Reno’s comments have been edited lightly for clarity and brevity.
I know you were in Columbia for three days, what was that like and what all did you do?
Reno: “The first day we got down there and I hung out with all the players Luke [Doty] and Spencer [Rattler] and I stayed the night at Spencer’s place with him and his roommate MarShawn [Lloyd]. So I hung out with them… Second day was camp, threw with coach Satterfield and then we just hung around with the players again at the facility. And then we watched their little practice they have at night with the guys… The third day we just kinda hung around, they had another camp day and I really just hung around coach Beamer that whole day. Just watched a couple guys, Mazeo Bennett, Kam Pringle and Josiah Thompson that were there and there’s a couple other D-linemen that were there too. So I kinda just hung around those guys and spent some time with them.”
What was it like being around Doty and Rattler?
Reno: “It was great. It was just cool to see how– because my biggest thing was to see how I fit in with those guys — and those guys are a lot like me. Spencer is one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football right now and Luke’s a great guy and he obviously had an incredible season last year until he got hurt…So just those two guys, just being around them, being around the whole quarterback room to be honest like coach Zeb Noland, Nick Coleman were also quarterback coaches in that room and coach (Freddie) Kitchens too. It was a great experience for me and my family.”
Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield has been really involved in your recruitment and you threw with him the other day, what’s your relationship with him look like?
Reno: “I mean with Satt it’s kind of more than football. He’s done an incredible job, recruiting me and not just me, my whole family. He’s really close to me and my brother, my sister, my mom, dad, and he knows everything about me and my family. And we know everything about him and his family, so I got to meet his family while I was down there. Obviously, he’s a family-first guy, and he’s really big on building relationships. I think that’s kind of where coach Beamer comes from and obviously what he’s trying to build down there. Coach Satt’s a great guy and he’s doing a really good job.”
Fellow four-star and class of 2024 quarterback Jayden Bradford was at camp the same day as you. What was that like working alongside another guy from your class that’s also being heavily recruited? Was there a mutual understanding of ‘Hey, we’re both trying to get out here,’ or was it a kind of healthy competition?
Reno: “It was cool. He’s awesome, he’s a really good player and we had thrown before at some Rivals camp or something like that … I think it was last summer. He’s obviously a great kid and he’s from down there too … We talked to each other, we were coaching each other up on some stuff and after either of us made a good pass we’d congratulate each other on that stuff. He’s a great kid, obviously we’re both striving to play Division I college football at someplace. I mean for him and me, I mean it’s not going to be the same college. But it was pretty cool to see how he operates and meet his family. And they’re all great people so it was a good time.”
Where does South Carolina stand for you after the last couple days?
Reno: “It’s definitely up there. There’s a lot of stuff that’s gonna go on in the next couple months, July to August. So I think it’s gonna be pretty interesting to see but I have a pretty good feeling about South Carolina and where they’re at right now … They’re definitely top three.”
Obviously you have another year of high school coming up so you have some time but what does your ideal commitment timeline look like?
Reno: “I mean, probably by the end of the summer, to be honest with you. Either end of the summer or before my season at some point. That’s kind of when I’m planning on it.”
There have been some rumors and reports swirling about you potentially reclassifying, is there any truth to that?
Reno: “Yeah, as of right now, there’s no truth to that…I mean, that could change in the next couple of months. But as of right now, your answer is there’s no truth to that.”
Is there anything else that you think fans need to know about your time in South Carolina or just where your recruitment stands?
Reno: “Obviously, it’s a great time always when I’m down in Columbia. It feels like they’re all family to me and they’ve done a great job recruiting me. Coach Beamer’s got a great thing going down there. He’s got a bunch of good people around him. I think the fans should be pretty excited about what’s gonna happen in the next couple of months and obviously for South Carolina going into the next football season.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2022 at 12:00 PM.
