| Herald-Journal
Former South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski announced via Twitter late on Tuesday that he is moving to Northwestern.
He entered the NCAA transfer portal on December 30, after two seasons with Gamecocks.
“Life’s journey has unexpected peaks and valleys,” posted Hilinski. “I am grateful for every step I was able to take. I am grateful for my incredible family and all those who helped me along the way as I pursued my dreams. I am excited to begin this next chapter at Northwestern University. Thank you coach (Pat) Fitzgerald and (offensive coordinator Mike) Bajakian for giving me this incredible opportunity! Go Cats! “
Hilinski later added to his statement: “I couldn’t be more excited and grateful for this opportunity.”
Her older brother, Kelly, tweeted, “LET GOOOO BABY BROTHER !! It’s time to start working. Go cats !!! #BleedPurple.”
New USC coach Shane Beamer said earlier this month about Hilinski: “I had a great conversation when he called me to say he was logging in. We’ve been exchanging some text messages since Coach (Mike) Bobo left. get out of it. ”
During Tuesday’s virtual meeting with the media, Beamer said he had no further negotiations with Hilinski.
Former Clemson quarterback Hunter Johnson is in the Northwestern lineup after the transfer before the 2018 season, after a season with the Tigers. He did not attempt a pass this year.
Hilinski played only two games last season, trying just six passes and completing four for 34 yards. He started 11 games as a real freshman after veteran Jake Bentley suffered a foot injury at the end of the season.
Hilinski, initially a first-rate recruit from California, seemed to have an unimpeded path to remain as a starter last season. That was before former Colorado State coach Mike Bobo was named offensive coordinator and defender coach. Bobo later joined the Gamecocks for his former CSU starting quarterback, Collin Hill.
Hill won the top job and started the first eight games before the real freshman from Myrtle Beach, Luke Doty, played the entire second half of the season’s eighth game against Missouri before being named in the last two games.
Hilinski arrived at USC ranked by 247Sports Composite as the second best professional defender in the country and the potential number 64. He has become just the sixth freshman defender to start a game for the USC since joining the SEC and completing 236 of 406 passes for 2,357 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions. His 214.3 yards per game led the SEC freshmen and was sixth overall at the conference.
He equaled the USC’s first-year quarterback record with 11 games, setting new records for passes, touchdowns, submissions and attempts.
Hilinski’s older brother, former Washington State defender Tyler Hillinski, died of suicide in January 2018. The family moved from California to South Carolina after his brother’s death. They became great advocates of mental health awareness and suicide prevention through their Hilinski’s Hope foundation.
A tradition began in the USC home games that quickly spread to other SEC stadiums when Gamecocks were in town for fans (and players) to lift three fingers to honor Tyler Hilinski’s old number, the same digits used by Ryan at USC. It is to show solidarity and that no one is alone.
“This was the most difficult decision I had to make in my entire life,” Hilinski posted on social media when he announced that he was transferring from USC. “It is painful to write this letter knowing what I am leaving behind. It is with a heavy heart that I decided to enter the transfer portal to fulfill the promise I made to myself and my brother.
“Thanks for giving my family and me a home when we didn’t know where it was. Thanks for the roars at Williams-Brice Stadium. For the smiles, hugs, handshakes and warm greetings. I will be forever grateful for that state and the life I found afterwards. of losing my brother. “