Tyler Huntley will make his 33rd career start as Utah's quarterback on New Year's Eve when the Utes meet Texas in the Alamo Bowl. His replacement in 2020 may be a quarterback who has started 33 games for a Southeastern Conference program.
Jake Bentley is coming to Utah from South Carolina as a graduate transfer, he announced Monday. Bentley, whose scheduled senior year was derailed by a season-ending foot injury in the Gamecocks' opener, will compete with as many as four scholarship quarterbacks for Utah's starting job.
The Utes’ 2020 quarterback roster is scheduled to include Drew Lisk as a senior, Jason Shelley as a junior and Texas transfer Cameron Rising as a sophomore. Baylor transfer Peyton Powell would need an NCAA waiver to be eligible to play next season.
Bentley went 19-14 as South Carolina’s starter, passing for 7,527 yards and 55 touchdowns with 32 interceptions. He started seven games as a freshman in 2016 and was named a co-captain the next year. The Gamecocks went 9-4 in 2017 with an Outback Bowl win over Michigan, then were 7-6 in 2018. Bentley is known as an efficient passer with a strong arm and limited mobility.
Ryan Hilinski took over at quarterback as a freshman this season after Bentley was injured. South Carolina finished 4-8.
Bentley’s father, Bobby, coaches the Gamecocks’ tight ends under coach Will Muschamp. Jake Bentley attended high school in Opelika, Ala., while his father was a member of the Auburn staff.
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