Robby Ashford brings grit, leadership and experience to Gamecock quarterback room
South Carolina’s quarterback room was a young one following the conclusion of the 2023 season. So head coach Shane Beamer turned to the transfer portal to get quarterbacks with more experience.
Redshirt senior Robby Ashford brings SEC leadership to the table after spending the past two seasons at Auburn. He began his career at Oregon but did not see playing time in his two years there.
Ashford was Auburn’s offensive player of the year when he competed as its starting quarterback during the 2022 season. He threw seven touchdowns for 1,613 yards and rushed for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Ashford joined the Gamecocks in January and is getting his first taste of South Carolina with spring practice starting up. He said being around all new people is nerve-wracking, even having spent his time at a few different programs.
“The adjustment has been great,” Ashford said. “It’s always kind of different when you first get somewhere because I’ve been to two stops, so I know what it’s like to be the new guy and it’s never a new feeling.”
Despite being that “new guy,” he said his teammates have been accepting and welcomed him into their family.
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“I feel like that was something I was missing, just the culture, the environment,” Ashford said. “Coach Beamer and everybody involved has just done a great job of showing that and proving of what they said when I came on my recruiting visit.”
Part of the culture of the team is the competition within it. Ashford said he’s working hard on proving himself so he earns his team’s respect.
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While adjusting to a new offense, he said having coaches with NFL experience like Dowell Loggains and Mike Shula helps.
“The one I played in Auburn was simple, two-word calls, go, but now I’m playing in a more pro-ready offense,” Ashford said.
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Ashford tries to balance being a leader with getting to know his new teammates and not overstepping his bounds.
“Not stepping on toes, I feel like that’s big,” Ashford said. “That’s kind of the mindset I came in with, I mean there’s guys that have been here, so you just kind of try and find your way and just get comfortable and I feel like that’s what I’m doing.”
Ashford wants to lead by example and he believes that’s the best way to better the team as a quarterback.
“I’m going to give everything for my guys, I mean no matter what,” Ashford said. “I like to say, for me, I’m the type of guy I have to be physically unable to not be able to do something, to not play or have a thought of not playing. If it’s any chance I can go, I’m going to do it and I’m going to leave it all out there on the field.”
