South Florida QB Mike White Will Transfer
The quarterback competition battle at South Florida lost a contender with the announcement that Mike White will transfer. Head coach Willie Taggart confirmed the news in a statement.
“Mike and I talked after the conclusion of spring practice, and he expressed his desire to pursue the remainder of his career at another school,” the Bulls head coach said in a statement. “We wish Mike all the best in his future and thank him for his contributions to our program and University.”
White was the starter in 2014 with 10 starts in 11 games played. He finished the season going 122 of 242 (50.4%) for 1,639 yards with 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He started 5 games in 2013 while finishing the season with 1,083 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions on 93 of 175 passing (53.1%).
White will have to sit out 2015 if he transfer to another FBS school. He would be eligible to play immediately if he transferred to an FCS school.
White’s departure leaves Steven Bench and Quinton Flowers as the only quarterbacks with starting experience.
Bench began his career at Penn State in 2012 where he played in two games going 2 of 8 for 12 yards. He was eligible to transfer without sitting out a year due to the NCAA sanctions that rocked the Nittany Lions.
In 2013, he played in 7 games and started 2 contests. He finished 26 of 64 (40.6%) for 392 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Last year he played in 6 games, starting against Houston, going 49 of 100 (49%) for 611 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Flowers, a sophomore, played in 5 games and started against SMU. For the year he went 8 of 20 (40%) for 111 yards with no touchdowns and 2 picks. He also rushed 13 times for 73 yards.
Three other quarterbacks are on the roster, but are considered to have an outside chance of seeing significant playing time. They are senior Austin Parker, sophomore Adam Robles, and redshirt sophomore Evan Wilson.