Dowell Loggains: Luke Doty can 'absolutely' have role for South Carolina
Dowell Loggains hasn’t held back from heaping praise on Gamecocks quarterback Luke Doty.
A lot of it is because of the person Doty is–an entrenched leader on this team despite being the backup quarterback–but there’s a good chunk too because of the player Doty is.
Which is why Loggains can “absolutely” see Doty having a role for the Gamecocks this season.
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“He’s a valuable football player who can help us in other rooms other than quarterback. He’s done that in the past. In the bowl game, he played on special teams. He’s played on punt pressure and kickoff returns. He’s done some other things. It’d be foolish for us to have a player like that–that coach Beamer and I believe in–standing next to us on the sideline. Is he a guy who can have a role in different areas? Absolutely.”
Beamer named Doty South Carolina’s backup quarterback on Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean Doty won’t in some respects see the field this season.
He’s started six games over his career, mostly at quarterback, but has played some receiver and on special teams as well during his South Carolina career.
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Over his career, Doty has completed 61 percent of his passes and averaged 6.7 yards per attempt with nine touchdowns to eight picks. He’s also rushed 80 times for 173 yards and a score.
Last season–while redshirting–Doty went 10-for-14 for 146 yards and two touchdowns while throwing two picks. He also rushed five times for 63 yards and a touchdown.
But Loggains gushes and is effusive in his praise for not only the player but the person Doty is.
“He’s one of my favorite players on this team and one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached cause of what he values and the teammate he is,” Loggains said. “You talk about leadership and the guys that have it. Whatever it is, those guys have it.”
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Loggains even spoke about Doty taking control of the team’s newcomer talent show and making sure it didn’t go off the rails before it started.
“Luke Doty is the one that stands up and says, ‘Hey guys, don’t throw wadded up napkins or whatever. Don’t start all that stuff. Let them finish the act then boo them. Don’t start booing right off the start,’” Loggains said.
“Luke Doty is the one who spoke up and told everyone to act right. Like, Hey guys, act right and treat these guys the right way.’ That’s who Luke is to me. That’s why I have such respect for Luke.”
