http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article ... L-prospect
Three days removed from his team’s last-second victory against Michigan in the Outback Bowl, South Carolina football Steve Spurrier said backup quarterback Dylan Thompson could play in the NFL.
Speaking in response to a question from ESPN radio talk show host Colin Cowherd about college quarterbacks with NFL potential, Spurrier said, “We’ve got a kid down here that is only a sophomore, Dylan Thompson, who I think is going to have a chance. He is right around 6-3 ½ and can move a little bit, stay in the pocket and all that kind of stuff.”
Thompson, the backup to junior Connor Shaw, started two games this season -- against East Carolina and Clemson. He passed for more than 300 yards in both. In the 27-17 victory against the archrival Tigers, Thompson completed 23 of 41 passes for 310 yards with three touchdowns.
Thompson also played a big role in the Gamecocks’ 33-28 bowl win, throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bruce Ellington with 11 seconds remaining. He had replaced Shaw, who left with an injury and underwent ankle surgery today.
Thompson completed seven of 10 passes for 117 yards with two touchdowns in the game and finished the season 66-for-127 for 1,027 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. The former Boiling Springs High standout is listed as 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds.
If Shaw is unable to participate in spring practice, Thompson would enter as the team’s No. 1 quarterback for those workouts.
Shaw, who also dealt with a cracked bone in his right scapula in 2012, also had a solid season, completing 154 of 228 passes for 1,956 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He rushed for 435 yards and three touchdowns.
Three days removed from his team’s last-second victory against Michigan in the Outback Bowl, South Carolina football Steve Spurrier said backup quarterback Dylan Thompson could play in the NFL.
Speaking in response to a question from ESPN radio talk show host Colin Cowherd about college quarterbacks with NFL potential, Spurrier said, “We’ve got a kid down here that is only a sophomore, Dylan Thompson, who I think is going to have a chance. He is right around 6-3 ½ and can move a little bit, stay in the pocket and all that kind of stuff.”
Thompson, the backup to junior Connor Shaw, started two games this season -- against East Carolina and Clemson. He passed for more than 300 yards in both. In the 27-17 victory against the archrival Tigers, Thompson completed 23 of 41 passes for 310 yards with three touchdowns.
Thompson also played a big role in the Gamecocks’ 33-28 bowl win, throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bruce Ellington with 11 seconds remaining. He had replaced Shaw, who left with an injury and underwent ankle surgery today.
Thompson completed seven of 10 passes for 117 yards with two touchdowns in the game and finished the season 66-for-127 for 1,027 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. The former Boiling Springs High standout is listed as 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds.
If Shaw is unable to participate in spring practice, Thompson would enter as the team’s No. 1 quarterback for those workouts.
Shaw, who also dealt with a cracked bone in his right scapula in 2012, also had a solid season, completing 154 of 228 passes for 1,956 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He rushed for 435 yards and three touchdowns.
