Dante Reno Transfer Portal: Former South Carolina QB May Eye North Dakota State Starting Job

Dante Reno was a 4-Star QB coming out of high school in Connecticut. Now he may opt to lead FCS power North Dakota State. 

As spring gives way to summer in Columbia, change is in the air for South Carolina’s quarterback room. What was once a crowded competition has shifted, as redshirt freshman Dante Reno has decided to enter the transfer portal, seeking a new path after a brief stay with the Gamecocks.

For South Carolina, the focus remains firmly on the future with LaNorris Sellers leading the charge. But for Reno, the next chapter begins now.

Reno’s Exit: A Quiet Departure, A New Opportunity

Reno, a former three-star recruit and the son of Yale football head coach Tony Reno, arrived in Columbia with promise and pedigree. Yet his time with the Gamecocks was largely spent on the sidelines, buried on a depth chart rich in talent. He appeared in just one game during the 2024 season, a brief cameo that hinted at what could be, but never fully materialized.

Gods timing! Cant wait for what’s next. #AO1 https://t.co/XIg4Y3jZIF

— Dante Reno (@dantereno10) April 24, 2025

Coming into this spring, Reno was in the mix for the backup quarterback role, competing with former Ohio State transfer Air Noland and freshman Cutter Woods. But in South Carolina’s spring game, Reno’s limited action behind Luke Doty on the garnet team spoke volumes. With playing time uncertain and his path to the field narrowing, Reno made the decision to explore his options.

What’s Next for South Carolina’s QB Room?

With Reno gone, the Gamecocks are left with four scholarship quarterbacks: Sellers, Noland, Woods, and Doty. Sellers, who impressed last season and has firmly secured the starting role, is poised to be the face of South Carolina’s 2025 campaign.

Behind him, however, a new battle brews. Noland, one of the most intriguing transfers in the country, has the talent to push for meaningful snaps. Doty, once a starter, has transitioned to wide receiver in recent seasons but flashed his skills under center during the spring. And then there’s Woods, the true freshman who turned heads with a 51-yard strike in the spring game, showing poise beyond his years.

As the summer unfolds, all eyes will be on who steps into that critical No. 2 role.

A New Beginning for Reno?

While his time in Columbia ends quietly, Reno’s next step could bring him into the spotlight. One potential destination looms large: North Dakota State. The perennial FCS powerhouse finds itself with a rare vacancy at quarterback following Cam Miller’s departure.

Knowing Dante and the Reno family, this could not have been an easy decision. Some program will get a hell of a quarterback and person out of it. https://t.co/ddrvlkzA84

— New England Football Journal ® 🏈 (@newftbj) April 24, 2025

NDSU has options in Cole Payton, a dynamic athlete with big-play ability but limited ing experience, and Nathan Hayes, who has impressed with his arm but remains unproven as a full-time starter. Reno, with his experience at the FBS level and a strong football lineage, could provide immediate competition.

The Bison are known for developing quarterbacks, for building champions. For Reno, it could be the perfect place to prove himself.

For South Carolina, the quarterback room is still loaded with promise. For Dante Reno, it’s a chance to find his own path, perhaps in the heart of FCS football. One door closes, another opens. And as both journeys continue, the stories of Sellers and Reno will be ones to watch in 2025.