Why Air Noland could be the perfect QB in post-Sellers era at South Carolina

If nothing else, new South Carolina quarterback Air Noland is likely the only Gamecock — heck, one of the only college players in America — with his own day.

Yes, you read that right.

In the city of South Fulton, Georgia, May 15, 2023 was named “Prentiss ‘Air’ Noland Appreciation Day” — signed and sealed in a proclamation given by the mayor and city council.

It reads, in part: “Whereas, Prentiss led the Langston Hughes Panthers to a 2021 state runner-up finish in the 6-A classification and an undefeated season in 2022 accumulating 15 wins against zero losses, resulting in the 2022 6A State Championship.”

“It was an appreciative moment for me,” Noland told Georgia Public Broadcasting. “Not a lot of people in South Fulton get that day.”

Then again, not many folks are Noland.

A 6-foot-2, 220-pound lefty with a release quicker than Jesse James, Noland had one of the most remarkable high school careers you’ll ever see. In helping Langston Hughes win its first state title in its short history (the school opened in 2009), Noland finished his prep career passing for over 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns.
Surely, that was partly why the city decided to write out a proclamation and recognize Noland in such a grandiose way. But, think about it: There are a half-dozen — sometimes double or triple that — quarterbacks in every state who win a championship. How many have you heard get their own day?

So yes, the gesture came about because of what Noland did on the field. But what he did on the field made the maturity he showed off it that much more impactful.

“He’s a giver,” said Noland’s high school coach, Daniel “Boone” Williams. “He would talk to special-needs kids. He talks with freshmen. That’s who he is.

“He is going to lead by example,” Williams continued. “He is in the first three rows of class in high school. He was always on time. He was always attentive. And he was always looking to help. He was a teacher’s assistant. … The custodial staff knew him. The cafeteria staff knew him. He was speaking to everyone.”

Williams understands how rare all those traits are for a kid like Noland. It’s not that any of those things are difficult — being a good person shouldn’t be a chore — but Williams understands the reality: When people keep telling you how great you are, it’s so easy to lose your humbleness.

Perhaps that better explains how the former top-five quarterback in America, who signed with Ohio State but didn’t play, decided to transfer after just one season … to a place where he isn’t going to start right away.

Because, that’s what makes Noland so fascinating. He’s not the first ultra-heralded, four-star quarterback to go to a blue blood and then transfer. But it is much more rare to see one of those former all-everything quarterbacks transfer somewhere knowing they won’t start right away.
“I didn’t promise Air anything but the opportunity to compete,” USC head coach Shane Beamer said in December. “Didn’t promise him the backup job. Nothing.”

Noland’s timeline starts only after current starter LaNorris Sellers leaves. And it seems that Noland is betting that Sellers — who’s expected to a be a top quarterback in the SEC — will be off to the NFL in a year and free up the starting spot.
That’s a year longer than most would be willing to wait, but a year nonetheless to grow and learn from Beamer and offensive coordinator Mike Shula.

“He was honestly looking for the vibe, the feel — the feel of the coach, the feel of the community,” Williams said. “He wanted to be loved. … Of course, the ability to get coached by the best and the ability to get on the field early.”

Early is a relative term. Perhaps it is next season. Maybe it’s 2024 — crazy things happen in college football. Whenever it is, Williams is positive Noland will be ready. This is a kid who basically made his job obsolete at times.

Noland was so well-versed with Langston Hughes’ playbook and offense that Williams would give him two drives a game to call his own plays. He would just tell his quarterback, “Air, you’ve got it,” and Noland would run the show.

“He would be able to give the line their protection,” Williams said, “and get the formation set and get the routes out to the receivers. His smarts was through the roof.”

His smarts are right up there with his maturity.