Two-Sport Star Brandon McIlwain Will Transfer From South Carolina

Two-sport star Brandon McIlwain—who appeared to be on track to being a first-round draft pick  last June before opting to enroll early at South Carolina for football practice—said Wednesday he will transfer at the end of the semester.

There was no word where the 6-foot, 190-pound McIlwain is headed. McIlwain played eight games at quarterback as a true freshman for the Gamecocks last fall, starting three. He completed 52.5 percent of his passes (62 of 118) for 600 yards and two touchdowns.

He made just one appearance for the baseball team this season as a pinch runner. The decision has to come as a surprise for the Gamecocks staff, as McIlwain was attending football meetings and coach Will Muschamp told a newspaper last month that McIlwain was “battling to be the starter.”

Although McIlwain started three games, fellow freshman Jake Bentley eventually took control of the quarterback job.

“Brandon came by today and spoke to me about transferring from the University of South Carolina,” Muschamp said in a news release. “I support his decision and wish him all the best.”

Baseball coach Chad Holbrook echoed those comments.

“Brandon has all the skills to be a terrific baseball player,” Holbrook said. “I have no doubt as he devotes more time to the sport, he can do great things. We have enjoyed him immensely and we wish him well as his career moves forward.”

McIlwain was the No. 16 prospect in the 2016 high school class before he decided to enroll early at South Carolina. McIlwain’s two-sport potential figured to make him difficult to sign, but several teams believed McIlwain’s upside warranted a high pick.

At his best, McIlwain is an outfielder with plus speed, above-average arm strength, and surprising feel to hit for a two-sport athlete from the Northeast.