Saint Francis quarterback transfer Jason Brown announced its commitment to South Carolina on Tuesday.
The FCS All-American quarterback told 247Sports that choosing Gamecocks was an easy decision and that he is “sick in the stomach” just thinking about the opportunity to play in a SEC environment.
“They are a good football team,” Brown told 247Sports. “They are at the best college football conference and I am going to play for some exciting fans. It’s mind-blowing. It is so exciting. I have a chill in my stomach now, thinking about it. “
Brown said that a large part of his commitment is that Gamecocks was a school that offered him and his receiver Saint Francis EJ Jenkins. A 1.80 m tall and 235 pound target who received 39 passes for 779 yards and a school record of 13 touchdowns last season, Jenkins entered the transfer portal alongside Brown. They’ve known each other since high school and played with former Penn State Pass star Rusher Yetur Gross-Matos in Chancellor High School.
Brown said they will continue to play together in Columbia and both plan to apply on March 1.
“It was a very easy option for me, honestly,” said Brown. “It was the school that offered me and EJ, so I’m really excited to be back together. … We’ve been doing this for a while.”
Brown became Saint Francis’ starting QB last season as a sophomore redshirt, emerging as one of the best FCS QBs in the team’s last six games when he played for 1,878 yards and 20 touchdowns against three interceptions when he completed 66 percent of his passes. But Saint Fancis announced earlier this month that it would not have a spring season, which is part of the reason why Brown decided to enter the transfer portal and look for a new home.
Fredericksburg, Virginia, six feet tall and 110 pounds, said he was excited to work with the new offensive coordinator Gamecocks Marcus Satterfield and feel that it will fit well into the system.
“What Coach Satterfield is trying to do with the attack is something I can excel in,” said Brown. “I think it will be a fun and interesting experience, for sure.”
The position of full-time defender from South Carolina is in dispute this off season with both Collin Hill and Ryan Hilinski undergoing transfer or graduation. This leaves the second year QB Luke Doty, Brown and incoming freshman Colten Gauthier to compete for the starting role.
Brown said he is excited to fight for that job.
“I think I will have the opportunity to run for the starting position,” said Brown. “It won’t be easy and it will be a lot of work, but I will definitely be ready for that”.
Brown was classified as a three-star recruit in the 2017 category, occupying the No. 103 professional-style quarterback position in the country by 247Sports Composite. He had an interest in FBS in several programs, including Charlotte.