Michael Scarnecchia steps into a backup role for South Carolina in 2017

The Final Cockdown continues its look at the South Carolina quarterbacks with the man that should be QB2 on the depth charts.

PREVIOUSLY: Jake Bentley

#12 Michael Scarnecchia

Redshirt Junior / 6’4” / 199 / Fleming Island (Fla.)

There was a comment here on GABA talking about how long Michael Scarnecchia has been at South Carolina. It has been quite a while: he enrolled in 2014 and ended up redshirting that year - since then, the Gamecocks have started six, count them, six different men at the position. He’s also played under three different head coaches!

It’s definitely been been a long, strange career for Scarnecchia in Columbia: after he redshirted in 2014, he played in one game in 2015, but tore his labrum and couldn’t play in 2016. But three and a half years after he signed with the program and with several twists and turns along the way, he’ll begin 2017 with a clearly defined role as Jake Bentley’s backup. That is, of course, if things go according to plan (aka Jake Bentley going injury-free and Jay Urich redshirting). But let’s not think about that.

Scarnecchia’s 2016 Stats: Did not play.

Recruitment: A three-star recruit, Scarnecchia committed to UAB on July 30, 2013, only to flip to South Carolina five days after Steve Spurrier offered him on October 15. (More here.)

Did you know: Scar’s uncle Sam is a member of the University of Miami (Fla.) Hall of Fame?

Next up: A pair of walk-on quarterbacks.