Family of GA turned South Carolina QB Zeb Noland adjusting expectations

Zeb Noland didn’t go to South Carolina looking for another chance. He was beginning a new chapter of his life. He’s found both, as he’s been named the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks’ season opener against Eastern Illinois on Saturday.

Zeb Noland was originally headed to South Carolina to take a position as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.

His family had settled into making plans for how this new chapter of life would look.

The Noland family was planning all summer to be in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday. Zeb was going to coach his first football game as a graduate assistant.

Travis Noland is a high school coach at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville (Ga.). As a result, he has missed a lot of his oldest son’s games. Distance has also played a big role.

The youngest of the Nolands, Ben Noland, plays collegiately at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.

Travis’ wife, Julie Noland, is flying to Aberdeen to watch their youngest son play in his season opener on Thursday before flying back to Georgia for Oconee County’s game on Friday.

“It is going to be a busy fall in our house,” Travis said.

Both will make the two-and-a-half-hour drive to William-Brice Stadium on Saturday. It was to be the closest game Zeb has ever been a part of since he left high school.

“We’ll take it week to week, but its nice having him within driving distance for once rather than trying to figure out who can fly out and who can’t,” Travis said.

Those plans aren’t any different. The expectations have shifted a lot after South Carolina named Zeb the starting quarterback.

Experience has prepared Zeb Noland for opportunity

Zeb Noland first committed to play for Appalachian State, his father’s alma mater but signed with Iowa State. He spent three years at Iowa State before transferring to North Dakota State as a redshirt sophomore.

He served as a backup to Trey Lance as the Bison won the FBS National Championship. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Lance in the first round of 2021 NFL draft in April.

Zeb played for the Bison this spring after the 2020 season was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After starting for much of the year, the Bison went in a different direction at quarterback as they entered the postseason.

Zeb made the decision to let go of his final season of eligibility. He wanted to focus on the next chapter in his life.

Projected starter Luke Doty suffered an injury during camp. South Carolina kicked around the idea of using Zeb’s sixth year of eligibility and he decided to take it. He received a fair opportunity to compete for the starting spot throughout camp and he earned the position.

Travis feels all of Zeb’s experiences as a player and his brief time as a coach have prepared the sixth-year senior for his shot at South Carolina and will only make him a better football coach when the time comes.

“Zeb’s always been smart when it comes to the game of football,” Travis said. “I think having been in the meeting rooms and coaches for six months has been good for him. Now, he’s going back into a locker room. He’s doing it in the best conference in the country, it can’t do anything but help him.”

Courage to seize the opportunity

Travis applauded his Zeb’s courage for being willing to take one more shot at playing college football. According to Travis, Zeb was comfortable moving into his life after football.

“He was willing to go out on the big stage to try and help in any way he can and I’m proud of that part,” Travis said. “He’s been through an unbelievable journey. It’s been just another phase where God is giving him another opportunity. I know he’s excited to try and make the most of it…He’s got the opportunity of a lifetime. I know he’s excited about having that second chance, or third chance or whatever you want to call it.”

Travis feels that all of Zeb’s obstacles have turned him into a better man.

“I’m very grateful for all the hardships,” Travis said. “I know it sounds crazy as a parent, that he’s had to go through some of these things, but I think it’s made him a better man.

“He’s had a lot more disappointments than highs as far as what he’s been through in college football. I’ll be very proud that he’s persevered through a lot of hard times. He’s now getting an opportunity to do something that most people never get a chance to do.”