Muschamp details how Gamecocks have helped catch up Luke Doty at quarterback
Heading into last weekend, South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Bobo revealed the Gamecocks staff had started catching up Luke Doty at quarterback after an extended stretch at wide receiver.
On Wednesday, during a radio interview with Teddy Heffner on sports radio 1400 AM, USC coach Will Muschamp detailed some of the steps they took to get him working at that spot.
“We really split the first-team reps with Ryan (Hilinski) and Collin (Hill) and really gave the majority of the second-team reps to continue to progress him as a quarterback,” Muschamp said. “(Tuesday) was outstanding. Did some really good things in the scrimmage.
“The last four days, he’s really made some strides.”
Getting to work with the second team means facing a better defense and working with higher level pass catchers.
That said, Bobo said Doty still hopped in at wide receiver when a few guys were gassed, jumping into a line before the staff could pull him back.
The electric athlete has been living an unusual life since the middle of the summer when he started dabbling as a pass catcher. It didn’t take long for him to become one of the six best options at the position.
Doty played wide receiver as a high school sophomore in addition to playing some quarterback. The next year he took hold of the Myrtle Beach offense, throwing for more than 3,000 yards, rushing for more than 700 and leading the Seahawks to a state title.
After making the Elite 11 finals during the summer, he posted a strong season as a senior, earning the title of Mr. Football despite suffering a hand injury that ended his season in the first round of the playoffs.
Doty is a strong dual-threat runner, and Muschamp said there’s a plan to get him in with a package at receiver and at quarterback. His presence and preparation could also pay off if COVID-19 strikes the QB room.
And despite the time spent at receiver, Muschamp has hammered home the point Doty is a passer first and foremost.
“Luke throws the ball well and runs 4.5, maybe 4.4,” Muschamp said. “He’s one of the faster guys on the team. I said he was maybe the fastest guy on the team and I immediately had about four texts from our players saying that’s not true.”
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Muschamp details how Gamecocks have helped catch up Luke Doty at quarterback."
