Zeb Noland says his biggest mentor is South Carolina great Connor Shaw

Zeb Noland’s journey of going from a grad assistant to South Carolina’s week one starting quarterback has been one of the most unique stories of the beginning of the 2021 season. Noland led South Carolina to a week one victory and looked impressive while doing so. The now South Carolina quarterback said after the game that one of his biggest mentors is a former four-year Gamecocks quarterback

Noland: Connor Shaw is a huge mentor for me

In South Carolina’s season opener, Noland completed 13 of his 22 pass attempts for 121 yards and four touchdowns as the Gamecocks defeated Eastern Illinois 46-0. Noland is now at his third program in his collegiate career. He knows just about what to expect when he takes the field. But former South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw has helped Noland prepare for this opportunity tremendously.

“I know I haven’t mentioned it much, but a huge mentor for me is Connor Shaw,” Noland said after Saturday’s victory. “My dad actually coached against him and his dad back in high school and I’ve always really respected what he did. He came here and he left a legacy like no other. You know, I really lean on him for guidance because he’s a good Christian man and I can talk to him one on one. We relate really well to each other.

“Just little things like that because he makes me embrace the little things. Running down and getting the student section hyped before and when you run out of the tunnel. He just prepared me for all the moments that he knew were coming. And I think that’s why I didn’t have as many nerves and got to relax.”

In his South Carolina career, Shaw threw for 6,074 yards, 56 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in four seasons. He also had 17 rushing touchdowns. Shaw started one game in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. He completed half of his passes for 177 yards and an interception.

Noland’s time as South Carolina’s starting quarterback is nearing its end

When South Carolina travels to Greenville on Saturday to take on East Carolina, Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer expects Luke Doty to be back at full speed. Doty was the presumed starting quarterback heading into the year.

“We expect Luke to be full speed by the end of the week,” Beamer said.

Noland played three years at Iowa State before he transferred to North Dakota State ahead of last season. He was expected to back up third-overall pick Trey Lance. The FCS season was postponed to the spring and Lance opted out to prepare for his NFL career. Noland threw for 721 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions during the spring season.