South Carolina will have a veteran quarterback behind center to begin the 2019 season.
Longtime starter Jake Bentley announced Friday on Twitter that he will return for his senior season.
One Last Ride. Forever to thee 🐔 pic.twitter.com/Qz44dpAEhp
— Jake Bentley (@JakeBentley19) January 4, 2019
Bentley, 21, has been in charge of the Gamecocks' offense since midway through his freshman year in 2016, compiling a 19-13 record as a starter. He is fourth on the school's all-time passing list with 7,385 yards. In 2018, he set career highs with 3,171 passing yards and 27 touchdown passes, but he also threw a career-high 14 interceptions.
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His most recent game, Dec. 29 vs. Virginia in the Belk Bowl, was perhaps his worst performance. Bentley threw two interceptions and fumbled three times in a 28-0 Gamecocks loss.
Bentley will enter spring workouts as the Gamecocks' No. 1 quarterback, but his likely successor is already in the fold. South Carolina signed California prep QB Ryan Hilinski during the early period in December. Hilinski is the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in 247Sports.com's ranking.
