Utes Receive Commitment From South Carolina Grad Transfer QB Jake Bentley
Dec 9, 2019, 4:35 PM | Updated: 6:15 pm
Jake Bentley #19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drops back to pass against the Clemson Tigers during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah found out that they have received a commitment from quarterback Jake Bentley, who is a graduate transfer from South Carolina.
He was the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks for the last two full seasons before suffering an injury in the first game of the 2019 season, which ended his season.
Excited for this next step, can’t wait to be a part of the Utah family! #GoUtes @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/sxgpUcgbsq
— Jake Bentley (@JakeBentley19) December 9, 2019
With Bentley participating in just one game, he can use his redshirt and have one year of eligibility remaining and can play immediately for the Utes. Bentley is 19-13 as the starting quarterback for South Carolina.
As a freshman in 2016, Bentley completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,420 yards, 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. In 2017, he raised his numbers to 2,794 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and last season passed for 3,171 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In three seasons (and one game in fourth season) Bentley had 7,527 yards, 55 touchdowns and 32 interceptions.
In high school, Bentley was a four star prospect at Opelika High School in Opelika, Alabama. He received offers from Alabama, Appalachian State, Arkansas, Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Duke, Georgia, Illinois, Louisville, LSU, Miami, North Carolina State, Nebraska, Old Dominion, Southern Miss, Stanford, Temple, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Western Michigan before choosing South Carolina.
Utah will have a competition at quarterback in 2020 with the departure of Tyler Huntley. The Utes will have five quarterbacks on the roster that will be competing for the starting job, including incoming junior Jason Shelley, Drew Lisk, Texas transfer Cameron Rising and Baylor transfer Peyton Powell.
