Shane Beamer waiting for Luke Doty update before naming quarterback

South Carolina does not yet know who will start at quarterback when they begin the regular season. Presumed starter Luke Doty suffered a foot injury a couple of weeks ago. Head coach Shane Beamer is not going to name a starter until he gets more clarity on Doty’s situation, according to Gamecock Central.

 Beamer hopes to know who the starting quarterback will be heading into next week

Early Tuesday afternoon, Beamer said that Doty got his cast off on Sunday. Doty is recovering from a mid-foot fracture and minor ligament damage in his foot after being stepped on during practice. As the regular season nears, Doty could be closing in on his return to the field.

Gamecock Central noted that Beamer will not name a starting quarterback until more information on Doty’s situation is available. If Doty is healthy and able to play, he appears to be in line for the start.

“I think we will have a batter idea towards the end of the week,” Beamer said.

#Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer: We have not named a starting QB. Doty got his cast off on Sunday and is in a boot right now. Not going to name a starter until they know his situation. "I think we will have a better idea towards the end of the week."

— GamecockCentral.com (@GamecockCentral) August 24, 2021

Behind Doty, South Carolina has limited options at quarterback

FCS transfer Jason Brown joined South Carolina in the offseason. He has not played since 2019 with St. Francis. That season, Brown threw for 3,084 yards, 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. Freshman Colten Gauthier and redshirt sophomore Connor Jordan have yet to gain any experience at the collegiate level.

South Carolina even added a graduate assistant from its staff to the roster as a quarterback in Zeb Noland. Noland played three seasons at Iowa State before transferring to North Dakota State last season. There, he sat behind Trey Lance. In the spring season for North Dakota State, Noland threw for 721 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. Noland had one year of eligibility left, so Beamer elected to add Noland to the roster to add another body to the quarterback room.

Dakereon Joyner split time between wide receiver and quarterback last season. He completed 16 passes as a quarterback and hauled in 13 receptions as a receiver. Doty, too, has split time between receiver and quarterback. Last season, he started South Carolina’s final two games at quarterback. On the season, Doty completed 60.6 percent of his passes with 405 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Beamer said that South Carolina would like to know who will start at quarterback as they enter next week. He believes that no matter who starts week one, they will be ready and confident while leading the Gamecocks’ offense.