COLUMBIA — Brandon McIlwain did not win South Carolina’s starting quarterback job in spring practice. But by taking command of the Gamecocks and excelling in the spring game, the true freshman set the standard for whomever does.
Nervousness over South Carolina’s signal-caller position was assuaged somewhat by McIlwain’s three-touchdown performance in the spring exhibition, in which he showed both a comfort level directing his teammates and an advanced ability to pass the football. It was a needed boost for a Gamecocks squad beset with instability at the quarterback position since the departure of Dylan Thompson.
By themselves, McIlwain’s spring performances weren’t enough to earn the freshman the starting nod.