QB McCollum leaves USC football team

South Carolina backup quarterback Reid McCollum has quit the team, two sources said Tuesday. McCollum, a redshirt freshman from Summerville, played sparingly in two games. He completed four-of-six passes for 39 yards, including a touchdown.
The reasons for his leaving were unclear. Current starter Stephen Garcia has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Head coach Steve Spurrier said in a statement that "Reid McCollum has indicated to coach [G.A.] Mangus that he is researching the possibility of transferring to a lower-division school with the opportunity to play right away."
McCollum's departure depletes the quarterback depth. Redshirt freshman Aramis Hillary and junior Zac Brindise have yet to throw a college pass. Andrew Clifford redshirted this year as a freshman, and Connor Shaw enrolled early this semester. Incoming freshman Dylan Thompson is set to enroll in the fall.
The Gamecocks had two veteran quarterbacks transfer out last year: Chris Smelley to Alabama to play baseball, and Tommy Beecher to Liberty.