Holbrook, Destino dish about McIlwain transfer
The Gamecocks were without one of their players as they loaded up the buses to head to Clemson for a Friday night series against the Tigers.
Brandon McIlwain announced Wednesday he was transferring schools, leaving the football and baseball teams immediately. Thursday was the first time one of his coaches addressed the media about the McIlwain and him leaving school.
“It was disappointing. We wish Brandon well,” USC baseball head coach Chad Holbrook said. “He’s a great kid and certainly a talented player. He just wants to start anew and get started in trying to find the right place for him from a baseball and football standpoint. We’re going to support him. I’ve enjoyed him immensely.”
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McIlwain was a four-star quarterback from Pennsylvania who was highly-touted when he enrolled early at South Carolina and made the 35-man roster last baseball season. He also started three games at quarterback this football season before giving way to Jake Bentley for the final six games.
He joins a list of other athletes at South Carolina who tried and had limited success at playing football and baseball, Shon Carson and DJ Neal most notably.
“You don’t see success at a high level with both sports,” Holbrook said. “It’s obviously an incredible challenge and takes a rare, elite athlete and he’s certainly capable of doing that and performing at a high level in both sports.”
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He vacates one of just 35 roster spots and leaves the Gamecocks with just 34 players for the rest of the season.
McIlwain passed up a chance at being drafted in the MLB by enrolling early and playing baseball last season. He hit .100 (1-for-10) in eight games last year. He had one pinch-run appearance to start this season.
“I hate to see him go, but I mean he’s a phenomenal athlete. Wherever he goes, he’s going to be successful I think. I love Brandon, me and him were very close,” Alex Destino said. “I respect everything he does.”
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There is no immediate plan for McIlwain, and he could opt to be a two-sport athlete at whatever school he ends up at. Wherever it is, he still has a friend and fan in Holbrook.
“I’m going to be a big fan of his,” Holbrook said. “He’s made a decision to start anew and we’re going to support him. And that’s all we can do. I’m a big Brandon McIlwain fan.”
