South Carolina Lands Ohio State QB Transfer Air Noland, But No Promises Were Made
The South Carolina Gamecocks made headlines this week by signing former Ohio State quarterback Air Noland from the transfer portal. The move raised questions: why would a highly-rated, former four-star recruit join a program with rising star LaNorris Sellers firmly entrenched as the starter? Did Noland receive assurances about playing time or future opportunities?
Head coach Shane Beamer quickly set the record straight.
“I didn’t promise Air anything but the opportunity to compete,” Beamer said after Friday’s Citrus Bowl practice. “Didn’t promise him the backup job. Nothing.”
The Backstory
Noland entered the transfer portal in mid-December after a redshirt season at Ohio State where he didn’t record any stats. When South Carolina’s director of player personnel, Darren Uscher, informed Beamer that Noland was interested in visiting Columbia, the coach was intrigued.
“Was really impressed with him and his family,” Beamer shared. “He spent two days with us, walked around with a notebook, and literally took notes on everything we discussed. He’s very mature, very professional.”
Noland’s arrival bolsters a quarterback room that was thin on scholarship players. Beyond Sellers, who threw for over 2,300 yards and rushed for 700 more as a freshman, the Gamecocks had only two other scholarship quarterbacks: redshirt freshman Dante Reno and incoming freshman Cutter Woods.
“It’s scary when you only have three scholarship quarterbacks,” Beamer admitted. “We wanted to increase the competition in that room, just like every position.”
Competition Over Promises
Beamer has been vocal about refusing to guarantee starting roles to transfers, especially quarterbacks.
“We talk about competition in this building at all times,” Beamer emphasized. “It’s on the walls in this building. I’ve never told a player, ‘I’m guaranteeing you a starting job.’ Never will. Because the minute I do, I’m a complete frickin’ fraud as a head coach.”
This philosophy didn’t deter Noland. Just like Robby Ashford, who transferred in from Auburn last year without guarantees, Noland embraced the opportunity to compete.
“If you love to compete, you’re going to love being a part of this program,” Beamer said. “If you don’t love to compete, you’re not going to make it very long in our program.”
Building for the Future
Noland joins a growing list of impactful transfers for the Gamecocks in 2025:
- Air Noland (QB, Ohio State)
- Nick Sharpe (OL, Wake Forest)
- Rodney Newsom Jr. (OL, Western Kentucky)
- Jordan Dingle (TE, Kentucky)
- Jaylen Brown (Edge, Missouri)
- Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (DT, Texas A&M)
- Shawn Murphy (LB, FSU)
- Myles Norwood (CB, Ball State)
As South Carolina gears up for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Illinois, Noland has already begun participating in practices, taking notes and preparing for the competition ahead. While Sellers remains the clear starter heading into 2025, Noland’s arrival adds depth, competition, and a promising future for the Gamecocks.
For now, it’s clear: in Beamer’s program, competition is the only guarantee.