USF quarterback Cade Fortin drops back to pass in last week's loss to N.C. State. (Photo: Rob Kinnan/USA TODAY Sports)
The Opening Kickoff (Part II): Jones, Fortin Part of Prized Georgia QB Crop
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When college recruiters scoured the state of Georgia for quarterbacks a few years ago, it was like waking up in the middle of Disney World's Main Street Confectionary with a sweet tooth.
Everywhere they looked, there was a goodie to grab.
Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields were the two top prizes in Georgia's QB Class of 2018. Lawrence was considered the No. 1 prospect and Fields, No. 2 — in the nation.
With Lawrence and Fields now in the NFL, three other members among the top five in the state that year will be at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday afternoon.
Two of them are expected to start: Florida's Emory Jones and USF's Cade Fortin. The other one, USF transfer Jarren Williams, is familiar to Gators fans. While at Miami in 2019, Williams was 19 of 30 for 214 yards and a touchdown in Florida's 24-20 win over the Hurricanes to open the season at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Two years later, Williams is behind Fortin and true freshman Timmy McClain on USF's depth chart. The Bulls are hoping for a better performance from the 6-foot-3, 221-pound Fortin than they got in their season opener, a 45-0 loss at N.C. State.
Fortin finished 7 of 20 for 41 yards and one interception, eventually replaced by McClain. USF coach Jeff Scott, who recruited Lawrence and Fortin during his time at Clemson, wants to give Fortin an extended look after he won the competition in preseason camp.
"We'll play both quarterbacks and try to figure out who our quarterback is," Scott told reporters. "I'd like to know right now, but we don't. We'll use the first four games to see which quarterback is the No. 1 guy. I'm confident somebody in the room will separate from the rest. I'm a lot more confident in the talent we have in the room now than I was last year."
PEACHY CLASS
A look at the top five quarterbacks from state of Georgia in the 2018 signing class (rankings according to 247Sports Composite):
Everywhere they looked, there was a goodie to grab.
Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields were the two top prizes in Georgia's QB Class of 2018. Lawrence was considered the No. 1 prospect and Fields, No. 2 — in the nation.
With Lawrence and Fields now in the NFL, three other members among the top five in the state that year will be at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday afternoon.
Two of them are expected to start: Florida's Emory Jones and USF's Cade Fortin. The other one, USF transfer Jarren Williams, is familiar to Gators fans. While at Miami in 2019, Williams was 19 of 30 for 214 yards and a touchdown in Florida's 24-20 win over the Hurricanes to open the season at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Two years later, Williams is behind Fortin and true freshman Timmy McClain on USF's depth chart. The Bulls are hoping for a better performance from the 6-foot-3, 221-pound Fortin than they got in their season opener, a 45-0 loss at N.C. State.
Fortin finished 7 of 20 for 41 yards and one interception, eventually replaced by McClain. USF coach Jeff Scott, who recruited Lawrence and Fortin during his time at Clemson, wants to give Fortin an extended look after he won the competition in preseason camp.
"We'll play both quarterbacks and try to figure out who our quarterback is," Scott told reporters. "I'd like to know right now, but we don't. We'll use the first four games to see which quarterback is the No. 1 guy. I'm confident somebody in the room will separate from the rest. I'm a lot more confident in the talent we have in the room now than I was last year."
PEACHY CLASS
A look at the top five quarterbacks from state of Georgia in the 2018 signing class (rankings according to 247Sports Composite):
| PLAYER | STATE | NATIONAL | SCHOOL | NOTABLE |
| Trevor Lawrence | 1 | 1 | Cartersville HS | Became star at Clemson and No. 1 overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft |
| Justin Fields | 2 | 2 | Harrison HS | Started career at Georgia, transferred to Ohio State, now with Chicago Bears |
| Jarren Williams | 3 | 9 | Central Gwinnett HS | Signed with Miami and started in 2019; transferred to USF after JuCo stop |
| Emory Jones | 4 | 11 | Heard County HS | Made first career start for Gators in season-opening win over FAU |
| Cade Fortin | 5 | 54 | North Gwinnett HS | Started career at North Carolina, transferred to USF after 2019 season |
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballAaron Chiles Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Damieon George Jr. Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Billy Napier Media Availability 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
Gator Insider presented by Talon Wealth 10-15-25
Wednesday, October 15
