Former South Carolina defender Ryan Hilinski will move to Northwestern, he announced on Tuesday.
“Life’s journey has unexpected peaks and valleys. I appreciate every step I was able to take,” Hilinski wrote in a statement that he posted on Twitter. “I am grateful for my incredible family and everyone who helped me along the way as I pursued my dreams. I am excited to be the next chapter at Northwestern University.”
After starting the Gamecocks 11 final games as a freshman in 2019, throwing 2,357 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, Hilinski appeared in just two games in 2020 with six passing attempts.
Born in Southern California, Hilinski was number 4 in the ranking of pocket passers in the class of 2019.
His family created the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation to support the mental health of student athletes after his older brother Tyler, then a Washington state quarterback, died of suicide in January 2018.
Northwestern is looking to replace senior Peyton Ramsey, who played 1,733 with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games in 2020. Ramsey accepted the invitation to play the Hula Bowl on January 31.