‘He’s wearing many hats’: Gamecock commit O’Mega Blake adjusting to new role
O’Mega Blake won’t have to worry about getting open to have the ball into his hands this season.
It will be in his hands from the beginning.
The South Carolina commit made the move from receiver to full-time quarterback this season for South Pointe High School, which opened up its season Friday with a 31-14 win over Catawba Ridge and is ranked No. 2 in latest Class 4A rankings.
South Pointe coach and former Gamecock linebacker DeVonte Hollman said plans on moving Blake to quarterback began after the end of last season and was pleased from what he saw from him in the opener.
Blake was 8-of-16 passing for 118 yards and also rushed for 81 yards with three total touchdowns.
“He has been working hard at it and showed Friday. We are going to be smart how we use him and don’t want to get him hurt, Holloman said. “He brings a confidence and a presence to everybody and puts the ball where it needs to be. And if all else fails, he can take off running and it will be must-see TV.”
Blake said he thought overall he played well but there was plenty of room for improvement.
When he talked with The State before the start of the season, Blake said he was really looking forward to playing quarterback. He saw some action last year, completing 22 of 33 passes for 223 yards and a TD.
As a junior, Blake finished with 1,336 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns.
“I’m a dual threat, I can throw it, can make reads and make big-time plays. I just need the ball in my hands,” Blake said.
Blake’s main position still is receiver which he plans to play at South Carolina next year but Holloman said he has the ability to play multiple positions if needed. He also is the Stallions’ punter.
“He is wearing many hats for us,” Holloman said. “He is an athlete. He is a receiver naturally. If he went full time defensive back, I think he would be a top recruit. If he put 100 percent into punting, I think he would be one of the top punters in the nation.
“If he has put his mind to it to play quarterback at the next level, he has the arms strength to do it and football knowledge.”
Blake committed to South Carolina on June 22 and remains firm in his pledge to the Gamecocks. He picked USC over Louisville and Virginia Tech.247Sports ranks Blake as the No. 9 prospect in the state and a three-star prospect.
The Gamecocks were Blake’s dream school growing up and he has been a longtime fan.
Blake planned on enrolling early in January but that might not happen now after South Pointe pushed back the start of its school year and first semester won’t end until Feb. 4 so he might have to wait until summer to enroll.
“Ir is not his fault and stuff he can’t control,” Holloman said. “It hurt his feelings a little bit because he is ready and so excited to get there.”
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 9:35 AM.
