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What will Jake Bentley decide to do in 2020? Will Muschamp explains plan for discussion
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Teetering on the edge at 3-5 on the season, the 2019 South Carolina Gamecocks are focusing on trying to win three of their final four games and qualify for a bowl. In the background, however, there is an interesting developing situation that could have a significant impact on the 2020 team: What will quarterback Jake Bentley decide to do?
Ben Breiner of The State Newspaper (Columbia, South Carolina) shared some comments head coach Will Muschamp made on Sunday regarding the topic:
South Carolina football will have a choice to make with its veteran signal caller. https://t.co/lMuZwBqeHD
— The State Newspaper (@thestate) October 27, 2019
A four-star prospect, Bentley graduated high school early to enroll in 2016 and has appeared in 34 games for the Gamecocks over the last four seasons.
Beginning this season as the starter, he has been sidelined since suffering a Lisfranc injury in the season-opening loss to North Carolina.
“Jake and I are very close,” Muschamp shared.
“And he and I will sit down and have a good conversation about what’s best for him and best for South Carolina. When we have that conversation, I’ll be able to update you more.”
The reason Bentley’s future is so cloudy is because of the emergence of freshman Ryan Hilinski. Thrust into the starting role following the injury to his teammate, Hilinski has completed 148-250 passes for 1,517 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
Bentley could elect to return to Columbia for his fifth – and final – year of eligibility, he could also choose to seek immediate playing time elsewhere as a graduate transfer.
However this scenario ends up playing out, things will be interesting to monitor in Columbia.
Looking to snap a two-game skid, Hilinski and the Gamecocks host Vanderbilt (2-5) on Saturday at 7:30PM ET on the SEC Network.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Teddy Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. In addition to his work here, he has covered the Michigan Wolverines for GBMWolverine and Wolverine Digest. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.
