Zeb Nolan is the starting quarterback of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Nolan had been on the staff of the Gamecocks as a graduate assistant just a few weeks ago, but the former North Dakota State backup was added to the active roster to bolster QB depth. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Now, he’s the team’s starting quarterback on the week one depth chart for the game against Eastern Illinois, according to ESPN.
This is such a crazy story. Zeb Noland, who came to South Carolina to be a coach, will instead be the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback on Saturday, sources told @ClowESPN. https://t.co/xvWUPOftnQ
— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) August 31, 2021
This is an absolutely nuts story, and I love it. Noland went from Iowa State to NDSU to USC as a graduate assistant.
Now, he’s putting the pads back on and is starting in the SEC. It’s almost too crazy to believe that it’s even real, but here we are.
As we sit here 18 days away from USC’s opener, grad assistant Zeb Noland has a chance to compete to play for the Gamecocks. With how thin the QB room is, and with Noland still having eligibility, he’s now a full-time player, says Beemer. @wachfox https://t.co/oHY87ZOXk2 pic.twitter.com/Vv46FlflAR
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) August 17, 2021
I had zero plans of paying any attention to the Gamecocks this season, and damn sure not week one. However, my plans might have to change.
If Shane Beamer is going to run a former graduate assistant out on the field to play quarterback, then I’m all in.
Former South Carolina grad assistant coach Zeb Noland is acting as the starting QB for SC this weekend🤯
Here’s a dime from Noland during his time at NDSU.pic.twitter.com/3HHHAr3vmV
— SportzStew Ⓥ (@sportzstewcom) August 31, 2021
It might not be as wild as the movie “Rudy,” but it’s more important because the QB touches the ball on every offensive play.
So, Noland’s impact on South Carolina is going to be huge.
Zeb Noland, who was a grad assistant for South Carolina 3 weeks ago, will be South Carolina’s starting QB heading into week 1.
What a story.
P.s. Zeb is such a great SEC name https://t.co/JfQqwPzt8v
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 31, 2021
If South Carolina balls out this season and wins nine or more games, then Zeb is likely going to be a legend in Columbia. As a football fan, I hope it happens.