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Perry Orth
Redshirt Senior
Quarterback
6’1”, 200
Ponte Vedra, FL
Recruitment
Orth pledged to the Gamecocks in February 2012, and after spending that fall at community college back home in Florida, enrolled at South Carolina in January 2013 as a walk-on.
College Career
Orth saw mop-up duty in 2013 and 2014, throwing a combined three passes in those two seasons. After being placed on scholarship before the 2015 season, he found himself thrust into the starting role after Connor Mitch went down against Kentucky and held up very well. Following an awful performance against Georgia in his first career start, he’d be benched in favor of Lorenzo Nuñez, only to get the starting role again when the freshman got hurt against Mizzou. He’d go 1-6 the rest of the way with 11 TDs and seven picks.
2016 Outlook
Orth is undoubtedly the most polarizing subject of discussion for Gamecocks fans. Opponents feel that a former walk-on that went just 1-7 as a starter has no business under center and that Brandon McIlwain deserves a shot. Proponents say that a new coaching staff/system, along with the fact that he’s the most experienced quarterback on the roster, means that he should get the edge. The ultimate decision rests with Will Muschamp and his brain trust, and it’s a decision that they can’t afford to mishandle.