Luke Doty shows athleticism, versatility with extended run as wide receiver for USC

At a point late in South Carolina’s season opening loss to North Carolina in Bank of America Stadium, a the Gamecocks’ offense had none of its top receivers on the field.

But it did have a former quarterback out there as a pass catcher, and he flashed a little something.

Since he arrived on campus, Luke Doty has intrigued. He slid over to wide receiver in Will Muschamp’s last season, but also started two games at quarterback. He saw injuries limit a 2021 season where he was the top passer on the roster, and fell behind talented transfer Spencer Rattler in 2022.

And Saturday, he was back out there catching passes, displaying the athletic skills the team has never quite been able to showcase.

“Luke coming in and playing as much receiver as he did tonight, play special teams for us, I love that kid,” Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer said. “Just the leader and showed what kind of player he is.”

Doty finished with 41 yards on three catches, with gains of 24 and 12 yards, on about 30 snaps. He had a nice catch-and-run and hauled in a slant from Rattler, a player he’s worked behind since the former Oklahoma star transferred in.

Doty’s path was unusual for as decorated a passer as he was. He came to Columbia as the No. 86 recruit in the country. Muschamp took Doty’s commitment before he was even a high school starter (he split time at receiver), and then the Myrtle Beach High product blossomed with a state championship and Mr. Football award his last two prep seasons.

He was moved to receiver temporarily as a true freshman, hardly playing, and then ended up the starter at quarterback after Muschamp was fired. He came into the next year the presumptive No. 1, but a foot injury limited him to six games before season-ending surgery.

Rattler arrived and Doty played the good backup. He’s always been known as a team guy, and he’s volunteered for special teams, receiver — any way he could help.

“Luke played a great game,” Rattler said. “He had some explosive plays. He’ll be a big key in our offense this year.”

And Doty wasn’t the only intriguing athlete to get some run against the Tar Heels. Five-star freshman receiver Nyck Harbor didn’t get a target, but he did get in for a few routes.

That’s not guaranteed for most freshmen, especially ones still very much in the process of learning the position. Harbor is massive and might end up with Olympic-quality sprinter speed. After being projected as a defensive end or tight end in college, he opted to play receiver to not lose his track speed.

How soon he has an impact remains to be seen, but it’s notable he managed to get a little run in high-leverage situations.

“Nyck, he’s still learning,” Rattler said. “He’s still learning.”