The plan for Luke Doty in 2024
Luke Doty, South Carolina’s starting quarterback in 2021, has seen his role adjust and expand in the years since, with the Myrtle Beach native primarily playing wide receiver and on special teams in games this past season while continuing to play some quarterback in practice.
Technically a redshirt junior this past season, though he also has a COVID year meaning two additional years if he wants them, the 6-foot-1, 209-pounder is set to return to South Carolina which begs the question of how he’ll be used in 2024.
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“I think we’re going to continue down the track that we were on with Luke that we did this season,” head coach Shane Beamer said Wednesday. “A couple of things: Luke has the respect of this team in a lot of ways, and our team’s better when Luke’s on the field. No question about it. Luke wants to continue to primarily focus on playing wide receiver and special teams like he did this season, but also continuing to be involved in the quarterback room as well.”
Doty played 204 snaps on offense this past season, all but 10 at wide receiver according to PFF’s tallies. The speedy athlete also was a primary contributor on South Carolina’s punt and kickoff return teams.
The Gamecocks will start the spring with just two full-time quarterbacks in redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers and true freshman early enrollee Dante Reno but have been active in the transfer portal to try and add another to the room.
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Adding that additional competition and depth at QB, could be key in potentially allowing Doty to focus more on receiver.
“So continuing to do a little bit of both, but really focusing on that wide receiver aspect of it, which is what he did last season,” Beamer continued, “and continuing to come along and be able to do some things on special teams like he did this season also, but not getting too far away from the quarterback position either.”
Doty hauled in 12 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown this past season, adding a rushing touchdown against Clemson.
