One of the many reasons that players transfer is in hopes of obtaining more playing time. For quarterback Robby Ashford that plan seems to have worked as he is trending towards becoming the starter at Wake Forest after his transfer from South Carolina.
As reported by Lauren Beasley of Garnet and Cocky, Ashford has been getting most of the first-team reps at Wake while still competing with Deshawn Purdie. While the decision has yet to become official, it is trending favorably for Ashford.
And when this likely becomes a reality, it will give Ashford another opportunity that has been in the works for years. As a Class of 2020 recruit from Hoover, Alabama, Ashford signed with Oregon. But he transferred to Auburn after not seeing the field during his two seasons with the Ducks. In two seasons with the Tigers, he got his first legitimate opportunity by playing in 22 games, which included 10 starts. During this time, he passed for 1,758 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. However, after the 2023 he decided to re-enter the portal, which brought him to South Carolina
With the Gamecocks, despite backing up blossoming star LaNorris Sellers, Ashford did impressive during his limited time on the field. Overall, he completed 23 of 32 passes for 324 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also showcased his dual-threat abilities by rushing for 227 yards and two touchdowns.
At Wake Forest, he will take over an offense that will be run by new head coach Jake Dickert and offensive coordinator Rob Ezell. Dickert coached both Cam Ward and John Mateer with the Cougars, while Ezell led a South Alabama offense in 2024 that was engineered by dynamic dual-threat quarterback Gio Lopez. The ingredients are there for Rashford, who is now a redshirt senior, to make an impact during his last collegiate opportunity. Now it is up to him to make it happen.
