South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski is transferring after two seasons of ups and downs with the Gamecocks.
Hilinski is the younger brother of Tyler Hilinski, the former Washington State defender who killed himself in January 2018.
Hilinski said on social media on Wednesday that leaving is the most difficult decision he had to make, but he entered the NCAA transfer portal to play elsewhere “and keep the promise I made to myself and my brother” .
Hilinski played almost immediately as a freshman, pressed into action when South Carolina starter Jake Bentley was lost due to an injury at the end of the season in the opening game.
Hilinski shot for 2,357 yards with 11 yards and five touchdowns for South Carolina to finish 4-8.
It looked like Hilinski had an advantage in the starting job this season, but lost to Collin Hllll. After coach Will Muschamp was fired in November, interim coach Mike Bobo played freshman Luke Doty against Hilinski.
Hilinski of Orange, California, has played just two games this year and has only tried six passes.
It had an impact on awareness of mental health issues. He and his family started Hilinski’s Hope for that purpose.
At the start of the third quarter of the home games in South Carolina, fans remained silent with three fingers in the air as a tribute to Tyler Hilinski, who was wearing No. 3.
Hilinski thanked fans for keeping Tyler’s name alive and giving others the courage to discuss their mental health problems instead of hiding them.
“This silence helped to distinguish the mental health of student athletes around the world,” wrote Hilinski.
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