If you asked me a few months ago how exciting these defenders would be or even about the depth chart, I would have seen it as a non-story, but things are looking up in Columbia.
After Ryan Hilinski replaced the injured Jake Bentley at the start of the 2019 season, we saw him as the defender of the future, but it may be time to hit the brakes.
According to a source close to Mike Uva of WACH Fox, the starting quarterback position for Gamecocks could very well be the work of Collin Hill.
According to a source close to USC football, Collin Hill has seemed strong throughout the camp and showed “good control of the attack” in yesterday’s match. That same source continued, “At this rate, he is about to be named the initiator of week 1”. @wachfox
– Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) September 6, 2020
Arriving at the camp, Hill, a graduate transferred from the state of Colorado, was considered a guy who entered the program to compete for reserve work with freshman quarterback Luke Doty, but Hill’s understanding of the manual changed some heads of the coaching staff.
This is not to say that Hilinski also took a step back. According to coach Muschamp, he has “played the ball well” and “grown tremendously”.
On the other hand, Hill was referred to as “a tough guy with a big arm who has earned the respect of the team”.
If Hilinski sat down, however, it would probably be a decision that fans would have to warm up to.
Despite being at the university for just one season, he brought awareness of suicide not only to Williams-Brice Stadium, but across the country. He made fans write “Hope never sinks” on his chest in response to an unpleasant headline from The State newspaper. He even led a prayer circle at the end of the games.
Getting him out of the spotlight would be difficult, but this fan base also loves victories, which were difficult to achieve last season.
Although Hilinski played very well against Charleston Southern and Alabama, he quickly calmed down and led the Gamecocks to few victories, one of which (Georgia) he was eliminated in the middle.
It seems that Gamecocks have a good problem on their hands: two good and deserving quarterbacks. The point is that only one can get the starting position.
A decision is on the horizon, as the USC begins its preparation for Tennessee this week. We should know more answers to our questions soon.