FORT MILL – Former Nation Ford quarterback Kirk Rygol has found a new home again.
Rygol, a 2017 Nation Ford graduate, is transferring from the University of South Florida in Tampa to the University of Montana. The would-be redshirt junior played in five games last season for the South Florida Bulls throwing for 170 yards and completing 12 of 24 passes for two touchdowns and 137.0 passer rating.
However, Rygol was just one of six quarterbacks on the roster for then head coach Charlie Strong, who had sense been fired. Rygol was on the rise up the depth chart for the Bulls, but then with the firing of Strong and new head coach Jeff Scott coming in from Clemson, Rygol’s spot was left in limbo.
Rygol stated one reason for leaving was finances, but opened up a little more about the situation since leaving. The South Florida website list three other quarterbacks on the Bulls roster for 2020, not including the two other quarterbacks they signed as part of signing day in February.
“I didn’t think I would get a shot,” he said. “I was told I was going to be sixth again on the depth chart. I played pretty well, so really the only option was to leave.”
In looking around, Rygol said he talked to James Madison University, University of Hawaii and Southeastern University, also in Florida, but said that Montana showed the most interest in him.
“After talking with them and seeing what they are about, they throw the ball a lot and they run the spread,” he said. “They showed the most interest in me. They are a very high caliber program.”
The spread offense is something that Rygol is used to from his senior year at Nation Ford and his time at South Florida. Rygol started his college football career at North Greenville in 2017. He played in just one game at North Greenville throwing one pass for just nine yards.
Rygol has two more years of eligibility and Montana, who plays in the Big Sky Conference, has four other quarterbacks on their depth charts, according to their website. One of them is a senior, two are freshmen and one is a sophomore. Rygol said he was told he could compete for the job right away.
With aspirations to play professional football, Rygol said he knows things are up to him moving forward.
“I think there could be NFL looks, but it depends on my play,” he said.
Rygol is also trying to decide on a major between psychology or communication. He has two more years in the classroom as well before he can graduate. Montana is scheduled to open the season Sept. 5th at home against Central Washington.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
