South Carolina QB commitment Jay Urich discusses shoulder injury
Nov.22, 2016
In the final game of his high school career, South Carolina quarterback commitment Jay Urich suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.
“It’s feeling better. I’m on some medication now, so it’s getting better,” he said during an interview on Monday night.
“Still, we’re not sure yet what it is; I know it’s not a break, but I think it might be a separation or something with the AC joint.”
Wren High School was trailing 35-28 when Urich was knocked out of his team’s 4A playoff loss to Ridge View.
“If I can remember right — I got tackled, got sacked — trying to get away. The dude was 270 pounds, 280 pounds, a pretty big guy. He was good,” Urich said. “I talked to him after the game (Sunday) on Twitter. He was a big guy, just took my shoulder and put it into the ground. He got me pretty good. It was just one of those plays.”
Urich immediately knew his injury was significant.
“It was pretty scary,” he said. “I knew something serious had happened. It was pretty painful, of course, but it was more disappointment that it might be my last play of my high school career with my guys, which was the hardest part. It was difficult.”
The Ridge View lineman reached out to him over the weekend.
“He just made sure I was all right and stuff,” Urich said. “He didn’t mean to do it … it’s football; that kind of stuff happens.”
On top of the injury, he’s also coming to grips with the fact that his high school career is finished. Fortunately, Urich said, he’s made plenty of lasting friendships and memories.
“Last year, this year, and even at my old school, those times … the playoffs were awesome, but preparing for the playoffs in the summer, summer practices and getting up real early in the spring time, doing the breakfast of champions,” Urich said. “That probably will stick out to me the most, just putting in the hard work with my boys when no one was watching. And, of course, Friday nights, always.”
Friday nights under the lights will soon turn into Saturdays in the SEC. For Urich, who committed to South Carolina in May, the future is exciting to think about.
After all, just a few weeks ago, the Gamecocks were reeling with a 2-4 record. Now, they’re bowl eligible and carrying some serious juice with freshman quarterback Jake Bentley.
“I think it’s great. I’m really excited. We’ve been getting some wins and been on the up and up,” Urich said. “Jake’s been doing really good, so that shows you can come in early and have the ability to make a difference.
“I think it’s just a cool situation with the offense and how much we’ve grown through the year. It’s been cool to see, to see us succeeding a lot. I know the best is yet to come for the program.”
Urich would love to see South Carolina pull off an upset on Saturday night when the 2016 regular season comes to a close against Clemson.
“I think we’re going to win, hopefully. I’m not sure yet, but I might try to go to the game. I know it’s going to be a good atmosphere,” he said. “You never know with the rivalry game, especially with Clemson and Carolina. It’s something different than all of the other rivalry games.
“You can throw out all the records and rankings. … I’m excited for it. I think we have a really good chance to upset ‘em.”
For the season, Urich completed 183 of 315 passes for 2,055 yards with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,036 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Nov.22, 2016
In the final game of his high school career, South Carolina quarterback commitment Jay Urich suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.
“It’s feeling better. I’m on some medication now, so it’s getting better,” he said during an interview on Monday night.
“Still, we’re not sure yet what it is; I know it’s not a break, but I think it might be a separation or something with the AC joint.”
Wren High School was trailing 35-28 when Urich was knocked out of his team’s 4A playoff loss to Ridge View.
“If I can remember right — I got tackled, got sacked — trying to get away. The dude was 270 pounds, 280 pounds, a pretty big guy. He was good,” Urich said. “I talked to him after the game (Sunday) on Twitter. He was a big guy, just took my shoulder and put it into the ground. He got me pretty good. It was just one of those plays.”
Urich immediately knew his injury was significant.
“It was pretty scary,” he said. “I knew something serious had happened. It was pretty painful, of course, but it was more disappointment that it might be my last play of my high school career with my guys, which was the hardest part. It was difficult.”
The Ridge View lineman reached out to him over the weekend.
“He just made sure I was all right and stuff,” Urich said. “He didn’t mean to do it … it’s football; that kind of stuff happens.”
On top of the injury, he’s also coming to grips with the fact that his high school career is finished. Fortunately, Urich said, he’s made plenty of lasting friendships and memories.
“Last year, this year, and even at my old school, those times … the playoffs were awesome, but preparing for the playoffs in the summer, summer practices and getting up real early in the spring time, doing the breakfast of champions,” Urich said. “That probably will stick out to me the most, just putting in the hard work with my boys when no one was watching. And, of course, Friday nights, always.”
Friday nights under the lights will soon turn into Saturdays in the SEC. For Urich, who committed to South Carolina in May, the future is exciting to think about.
After all, just a few weeks ago, the Gamecocks were reeling with a 2-4 record. Now, they’re bowl eligible and carrying some serious juice with freshman quarterback Jake Bentley.
“I think it’s great. I’m really excited. We’ve been getting some wins and been on the up and up,” Urich said. “Jake’s been doing really good, so that shows you can come in early and have the ability to make a difference.
“I think it’s just a cool situation with the offense and how much we’ve grown through the year. It’s been cool to see, to see us succeeding a lot. I know the best is yet to come for the program.”
Urich would love to see South Carolina pull off an upset on Saturday night when the 2016 regular season comes to a close against Clemson.
“I think we’re going to win, hopefully. I’m not sure yet, but I might try to go to the game. I know it’s going to be a good atmosphere,” he said. “You never know with the rivalry game, especially with Clemson and Carolina. It’s something different than all of the other rivalry games.
“You can throw out all the records and rankings. … I’m excited for it. I think we have a really good chance to upset ‘em.”
For the season, Urich completed 183 of 315 passes for 2,055 yards with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,036 yards and 16 touchdowns.
