Bentley to skip senior year of high school, enroll at South Carolina

Jake Bentley wants to play for South Carolina and he wants to do it now.

On Wednesday, The four-star quarterback announced that he would skip his senior year at Alabama's Opelika high school, reclassify as a 2016 prospect and arrive on South Carolina’s campus this summer. The move is a bold one, sure, but it’s also what Bentley feels is a smart one.

"I think it's good call because South Carolina is where I want to be," Bentley said. "I'm ready to get the opportunity to place at the next level."

Whatever the case, with one tweet on Wednesday morning, Bentley likely impacted the Gamecock’s upcoming fall camp. The decision comes with little notice and at the 11th hour, but the four-star quarterback seems confident in his decision.

Unconventional? You bet. Even by recruiting standards.

Bentley, who committed to South Carolina just a few weeks ago was the No. 13 pro-style quarterback and the No. 245 overall prospect in the 2017 class before he decided to reclassify. He chose South Carolina over Alabama and other programs. His father coaches the running back position at South Carolina.

It was rumored that Bentley might move to South Carolina and play his senior season closer to the Gamecocks' Columbia campus, now which his father coaches. The route he chose, however, was a bit more direct.

"The opportunity arose, and now he doesn't have to start over at another high school," said Opelika head coach Brian Blackmon, who has coached Bentley for the last few years.

According to Bentley, the decision will not only help him get a head start on his football career, it's also one that won't require a mountain of additional work.

"My parents and academic counselors realized that I would only need one more computer class to graduate in May," Bentley said.