{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}} {{Use American English|date = September 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Jake Bentley | image = Jake Bentley (cropped).jpg | caption = Bentley with South Carolina in 2018 | current_title = Head coach | current_team = Nation Ford HS (SC) | current_conference = | current_record = 0–0 | alma_mater = Byrnes<br>(Duncan, South Carolina) | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|11|23}} | birth_place = Duncan, South Carolina, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | player_team1 = South Carolina | player_years1 = 2016–2019 | player_team2 = Utah | player_years2 = 2020 | player_team3 = South Alabama | player_years3 = 2021 | player_positions = Quarterback | coach_years1 = 2022 | coach_team1 = Florida Atlantic (GA) | coach_years2 = 2023 | coach_team2 = North Alabama (QB) | coach_years3 = 2024 | coach_team3 = Rock Hill HS (SC) (QB/co-OC/PGC) | coach_years4 = 2025–present | coach_team4 = Nation Ford HS (SC) | overall_record = 0–0 (high school) | bowl_record = | tournament_record = | championships = | awards = }} '''Jacob Lane Bentley''' (born November 23, 1997) is an American football coach and former player who is currently serving as the head coach at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Bentley played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Utah Utes, and the South Alabama Jaguars.<ref name="Utahtransfer">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28262174/south-carolina-qb-jake-bentley-transferring-utah|title=South Carolina QB Jake Bentley transferring to Utah|website=ESPN|date=December 9, 2019|accessdate=December 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cunnock |first=Shane |date=January 8, 2025 |title='Standard of excellence': Jake Bentley introduced as Nation Ford's head football coach |url=https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/high-school/article298031593.html |access-date=January 21, 2025 |work=The Herald}}</ref>
==Early years== Bentley attended James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina as a freshman, where his father, Bobby Bentley, had been the head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/meet-the-bentleys-south-carolina-gamecocks-first-family-of-football/article_37546e08-70c1-11e8-9fc7-bb05636a1c38.html|title=Meet the Bentleys: South Carolina Gamecocks' first family of football|last=Cloninger|first=David|date=June 16, 2018|website=The Post and Courier|publisher=Evening Post Industries|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref> He transferred to Opelika High School in Opelika, Alabama, after his father took a coaching role with the Auburn Tigers. As a junior, he passed for 2,834 yards and 28 touchdowns. Bentley reclassified and graduated early after his junior season after his father became a coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/for-quarterback-jake-bentley-an-unusual-route-from-high-school/article_239fbfe2-9a27-11e6-a3ff-fbc945f0ad32.html|title=For quarterback Jake Bentley, an unusual route from high school to USC|last=Caraviello|first=David|date=October 24, 2016|website=The Post and Courier|publisher=Evening Post Industries|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/usc/2016/10/24/story-behind-jake-bentleys-early-arrival-usc/92663636/|title=The story behind Jake Bentley's early arrival at USC|last=Smith III|first=Willie T.|date=October 24, 2016|website=The Greenville News|publisher=Gannett|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Antonio|last=Morales|title=What JT Daniels can learn from other college QBs who arrived a year early|date=July 16, 2018|work=The Athletic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/430125/2018/07/16/jt-daniels-usc-qbs-graduate-high-school-early/|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 9, 2023|quote=And Jake Bentley reclassified into the 2016 recruiting class (from ’17) and enrolled at South Carolina, where he became the starting quarterback midway through his freshman season.}}</ref> He committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/15145944|title=High school junior QB Jake Bentley to join South Carolina for 2016 season|last=Tyson|first=Derek|date=April 6, 2016|website=ESPN|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2016/03/24/jake-bentley-commits-south-carolina-gamecocks|title=Four-star QB Jake Bentley commits to South Carolina|date=March 24, 2016|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref>
==College career== === South Carolina === ====2016 season==== Bentley entered his true freshman year at South Carolina in 2016 as a redshirt behind starters Perry Orth and Brandon Mcllwain. After the Gamecocks started the season with a 2–4 record, Bentley's redshirt was removed. He made his first career start against UMass. The following week he led the Gamecocks to an upset victory over nationally ranked Tennessee and retained the starting quarterback position after that.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/122894|title=Jake Bentley shows promise in South Carolina debut|last=Khan Jr.|first=Sam|date=October 26, 2016|website=ESPN|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article122644309.html|title=In a rebuilding season, Jake Bentley restored hope to USC|last=Connolly|first=Matt|date=December 23, 2016|website=The State|publisher=McClatchy|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> He finished the season completing 125 of 190 passes for 1,420 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article130171459.html|title=Jake Bentley confident Gamecocks will take next steps in 2017|last=McLemore|first=Dwayne|date=February 1, 2017|website=The State|publisher=McClatchy|access-date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>
====2017==== In 2017, Bentley started every game at quarterback for the Gamecocks, leading the team to a 9–4 record, including a come-from-behind victory over Michigan in the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2018. Bentley finished the season with 2,794 yards passing, throwing for 18 touchdowns and rushing for 6.<ref name=":0" />
====2018==== Bentley started the first four games for the Gamecocks in 2018, compiling a 2–2 record with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/4038809/jake-bentley|title=Jake Bentley Stats|website=ESPN|accessdate=October 6, 2018}}</ref> On October 6, 2018, Bentley missed his first start since his freshman year after sustaining a knee sprain in the previous week's loss to Kentucky.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/josh-kendall-blog/article219546830.html|title=Michael Scarnecchia expected to start at QB for Gamecocks vs. Missouri|last1=Kendall|first1=Josh|date=October 5, 2018|website=The State|publisher=McClatchy|accessdate=October 6, 2018}}</ref> Senior Michael Scarnecchia started in his place, leading the Gamecocks to a 37–35 win over Missouri. Bentley's roommate Parker White kicked the game-winning field goal with two seconds left.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article219562210.html|title=Scarnecchia saves South Carolina from Mother Nature and Missouri|last1=Kendall|first1=Josh|date=October 6, 2018|website=The State|publisher=McClatchy|accessdate=October 6, 2018}}</ref>
On November 24, 2018, Bentley set the South Carolina single-game passing record when he threw for 510 yards in a 56–35 loss to undefeated, second-ranked, and eventual National Champion Clemson at Death Valley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article222152075.html|title=Jake Bentley makes statement for the history books. Did it help big-game reputation?|last1=Breiner|first1=Ben|date=November 25, 2018|website=The State|publisher=McClatchy|accessdate=November 26, 2018}}</ref>
==== 2019 ==== Bentley was named starting quarterback for the 2019 season, but suffered a foot injury in the first game of the season, the 2019 Belk Kickoff Game against North Carolina. As a result, he was benched and freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski was named the starting quarterback.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/Article/Ryan-Hilinski-start-for-Gamecocks-Jake-Bentley-injury--135110337/|title=Hilinski to start for Gamecocks, Bentley out indefinitely|last=Del Bianco|first=John|date=September 2, 2019|website=247Sports.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref> On September 8, 2019, it was reported that Bentley would have season-ending surgery on his foot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.live5news.com/2019/09/08/jake-bentley-have-surgery-miss-rest-season/|title=Jake Bentley to have surgery, miss the rest of the season|last1=Bilodeau|first1=Kevin|date=September 8, 2019|website=WCSC-TV|accessdate=September 11, 2019}}</ref> At the end of the 2019 season, Bentley announced he would be transferring schools for his last year of eligibility.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/Article/South-Carolina-Gamecocks-football-quarterback-Jake-Bentley-transfers-139645090/|title=Jake Bentley announces plans for 2020|last=Del Bianco|first=John|date=December 2, 2019|website=247Sports.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-02}}</ref> On December 9, Bentley announced that he would be transferring to the University of Utah for the 2020 season.<ref name="Utahtransfer" />
===Utah=== ====2020==== Bentley was originally announced as the backup quarterback for the 2020 season, behind Texas transfer Cameron Rising, but after Rising was injured in the season opener against USC, Bentley was named the starter for the remaining games. Bentley completed 62 percent of his passes in his season with the Utes.
Following the season finale against Washington State, in which Bentley threw an interception in the second quarter and was benched in favor of walk-on Drew Lisk, Bentley, for the second time in his collegiate career, entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Josh |title=Utah football QB Jake Bentley, three others enter NCAA Transfer Portal |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2020/12/22/utah-footballs-jake/ |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=27 December 2020}}</ref>
===South Alabama=== ====2021==== On January 7, 2021, Bentley announced that he would be playing his final season at the University of South Alabama.<ref name="USAtransfer">{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Adam |title=Former South Carolina QB Jake Bentley announces transfer destination after leaving Utah |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/south-carolina-football/former-south-carolina-qb-jake-bentley-announces-transfer-destination-after-leaving-utah/ |website=Saturday Down South |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> He appeared in ten games for the Jaguars, throwing for 2,476 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
===Statistics=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="7"| Passing |- ! G !! GS !! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yards !! TD !! Int !! Rtg |- ! 2016 !! South Carolina | 7 || 7 || 125 || 190 || 65.8 || 1,420 || 9 || 4 || 140.0 |- ! 2017 !! South Carolina | 13 || 13 || 245 || 394 || 62.4 || 2,794 || 18 || 12 || 130.7 |- ! 2018 !! South Carolina | 12 || 12 || 240 || 388 || 61.9 || 3,171 || 27 || 14 || 146.3 |- ! 2019 !! South Carolina | 1 || 1 || 16 || 30 || 53.3 || 142 || 1 || 2 || 90.8 |- ! 2020 !! Utah | 5 || 4 || 77 || 124 || 62.1 || 882 || 6 || 6 || 128.1 |- ! 2021 !! South Alabama | 10 || 10 || 212 || 303 || 70.0 || 2,476 || 17 || 8 || 151.8 |- ! colspan="2"| Career !! 48 !! 47 !! 915 !! 1429 !! 64.0 !! 10885 !! 78 !! 46 !! 131.3 |}
== Coaching career == === Florida Atlantic === In early 2022, it was announced that Bentley was joining the Florida Atlantic football program as a graduate assistant, working with head coach Willie Taggart.<ref name="m435">{{cite web | last=Farner | first=Keith | title=Jake Bentley announces start of his coaching career as a graduate assistant | website=Saturday Down South | date=2022-01-20 | url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/south-carolina-football/jake-bentley-announces-start-of-his-coaching-career-as-a-graduate-assistant/ | access-date=2025-01-26}}</ref>
===North Alabama=== On December 8, 2022, he was announced as the quarterbacks coach at North Alabama.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://roarlions.com/news/2022/12/8/football-jake-bentley-to-coach-quarterbacks-at-una.aspx|title=Jake Bentley to coach quarterbacks at UNA|website=RoarLions.com|date=2022-12-08|access-date=2022-12-08}}</ref>
===Rock Hill High School (SC)=== On May 3, 2024, Bentley was hired by Rock Hill High School in South Carolina as their quarterbacks coach, co-offensive coordinator and passing game coordinator.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/article/south-carolina-football-jake-bentley-rock-hill-231359143/|title=Former Gamecocks quarterback to coach in Palmetto State|website=247Sports|first=Hale|last=McGranahan|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article288284840.html|title=Former Gamecocks QB accepts in-state high school assistant coaching job|website=The State|first=Lou|last=Bezjak|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
===Nation Ford High School (SC)=== On January 8, 2025, Bentley was hired as the head coach at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=NAFO_Athletics|number=1876997799440494930|title=Please Welcome New Varsity Football Head Coach Jake Bentley #GoFalcons|access-date=March 6, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2025/01/13/former-gamecock-quarterback-named-head-football-coach-fort-mill-high-school/|title=Former Gamecock quarterback named head football coach at Fort Mill high school|website=WBTV|first=Connor|last=Lomis|date=January 13, 2025|access-date=March 6, 2025}}</ref>
====Head coaching record==== {{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = Nation Ford Falcons | conf = South Carolina 5A-Region 3 | startyear = 2025 | endyear = }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = 2025 | name = Nation Ford | overall = 4–7 | conference = 1–5 | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Nation Ford | overall = 4–7 | confrecord = 1–5 }} {{CFB Yearly Record End | overall = 4–7 | bowls = no | poll = no | polltype = | legend = no }}
==Personal life== His stepbrother, Chas Dodd, played quarterback at Rutgers and is now a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Miami.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Player/Chas-Dodd-3217/|title=Chas Dodd, Rutgers, Dual-Threat Quarterback|website=247Sports.com|language=en-US|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2735573-south-carolina-qb-jake-bentley-is-pioneering-a-new-fast-track-to-the-nfl|title=South Carolina QB Jake Bentley Is Pioneering a New Fast Track to the NFL|last=Hayes|first=Matt|date=September 29, 2017|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/article230412239.html|title=Bobby Bentley's son leaving Gamecocks strength staff, joining former USC assistant|website=News & Observer|date=May 15, 2019|accessdate=December 9, 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/football/roster/jake-bentley/6284 South Carolina Gamecocks bio] *[https://utahutes.com/sports/football/roster/jake--bentley/10746 Utah Utes bio] *[https://usajaguars.com/sports/football/roster/jake-bentley/9563 South Alabama Jaguars bio] *[https://fausports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/jake-bentley/1384 Florida Atlantic Owls coaching profile] *[https://roarlions.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/jake-bentley/634 North Alabama Lions coaching profile]
{{South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback navbox}} {{Utah Utes quarterback navbox}} {{South Alabama Jaguars quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bentley, Jake}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:People from Duncan, South Carolina Category:Players of American football from Spartanburg County, South Carolina Category:American football quarterbacks Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football players Category:Utah Utes football players Category:South Alabama Jaguars football players Category:Florida Atlantic Owls football coaches Category:North Alabama Lions football coaches Category:High school football coaches in South Carolina