Jake Bentley

Jacob L. Bentley (born November 23, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Early years
Bentley attended James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina as a freshman, where his father, Bobby Bentley, was the head coach. He transferred to Opelika High School in Opelika, Alabama, after his father took a coaching role with the Auburn Tigers. As a junior, he passed for 2,834 yards and 28 touchdowns. Bentley graduated after his junior season after his father became a coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football.

2016
Bentley entered his true freshman year at South Carolina in 2016 as a redshirt behind starter Perry Orth and Brandon Mcllwain. After the Gamecocks started the season with a 2-4 record, Bentley's redshirt was removed. He made his first career start against UMass. The following week he led the Gamecocks to an upset victory over nationally ranked Tennessee and has retained the starting quarterback position since then. He finished the season completing 125 of 190 passes for 1,420 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

2017
In 2017, Bentley started every game at quarterback for the Gamecocks, leading the team to a 9-4 record, including a come-from-behind victory over Michigan in the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2018. Bentley finished the season with 2,794 yards passing, throwing for 18 touchdowns and rushing for 6.

2018
Bentley started the first four games for the Gamecocks in 2018, compiling a 2-2 record with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. On October 6, 2018, Bentley missed his first start since his freshman year after sustaining a knee sprain in the previous week's loss to Kentucky. Senior Michael Scarnecchia started in his place, leading the Gamecocks to a 37-35 win over Missouri. Bentley's roommate Parker White kicked the game-winning field goal with two seconds left.

On November 24, 2018, Bentley set the South Carolina single-game passing record when he threw for 510 yards in a 56-35 loss to undefeated and second-ranked Clemson at Death Valley.

Personal life
His stepbrother Chas Dodd played quarterback at Rutgers and is now a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of South Carolina.