Report: Tate Rodemaker expected to be named starting QB at Southern Miss

Tate Rodemaker is expected to be named the starting quarterback at Southern Miss, according to a report from Matt Zenitz. He transferred in from Florida State this offseason.

Rodemaker appeared in nine games for FSU in 2023, including two starts at the end of the year after Jordan Travis’ season-ending injury. During that time, he threw for 510 yards and five touchdowns before entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. That includes 335 yards and two touchdowns in Travis’ place.

Although Florida State made the ACC title game, Rodemaker didn’t start the game. He took a big hit in the season finale against Florida and, after being ruled a game-time decision, sat out the matchup as Brock Glenn got the start.

All told, over four years in Tallahassee, Rodemaker totaled 901 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll now make his Southern Miss debut in the season opener against Kentucky on Aug. 31 at Kroger Field.

After arriving at Southern Miss, Rodemaker battled with sophomore Ethan Crawford and freshman John White for the starting job. The Golden Eagles had a scrimmage last week and head coach Will Hall said all three quarterbacks looked good, although he didn’t have an official update on where things stood in the competition.

“I thought they looked really good,” Hall said, via the Hattiesburg American. “I thought they were accurate. We had a few misses, but I thought they functioned well, especially in the red jerseys because they are all good athletes.”

As for what Rodemaker’s departure meant for Florida State, the Seminoles had to replace not only their starter in Travis, but also one of their primary reserves. The decision also came as FSU was looking at its transfer options, which ultimately led the ‘Noles to DJ Uiagalelei as the heir apparent to Travis.

That’s why, according to On3’s Andy Staples, Rodemaker’s decision to transfer was a “safe” call. Now, he’s looking at a starting role.

“I remember before Jordan Travis got hurt, I was talking to some of the Warchant guys, and saying, ‘Who is the starter in 2024? Is he on campus or not?’” Staples said. “They said there was a good chance that Brock Glenn was the 2024 starter when all the dust settled.

“Now, I think we’ve seen them talking to Cam Ward, talking to DJ Uiagalelei; so maybe, maybe not. But, it certainly seemed like if Tate Rodemaker wanted to play, and he has one more year of eligibility, he was going to have to go somewhere.”