New South Carolina quarterback Air Noland may be the only Gamecock — and likely one of the few college players nationwide — with his own dedicated day.
Yes, you read that correctly.
On May 15, 2023, the city of South Fulton, Georgia, officially declared it “Prentiss ‘Air’ Noland Appreciation Day,” through a proclamation signed by the mayor and city council.
The proclamation states, in part: “Whereas, Prentiss led the Langston Hughes Panthers to a 2021 state runner-up finish in the 6-A classification and an undefeated season in 2022, accumulating 15 wins and zero losses, resulting in the 2022 6A State Championship.”
“It was an appreciative moment for me,” Noland shared with Georgia Public Broadcasting. “Not a lot of people in South Fulton get that day.”
And not many are like Noland.
At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Noland is a left-handed quarterback with a quick release. His high school career at Langston Hughes was nothing short of extraordinary. He led the Panthers to their first-ever state title, and by the end of his high school years, Noland had passed for over 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns.
While this was certainly a major reason for the city’s grand recognition, it’s worth noting that many quarterbacks across the country win championships. How many, however, are honored with their own day?
The proclamation and honor were certainly due to Noland’s on-field achievements, but it was his maturity off the field that made it all the more meaningful.
“He’s a giver,” said Noland’s high school coach, Daniel “Boone” Williams. “He would talk to special-needs kids. He talks with freshmen. That’s who he is.”
“He is going to lead by example,” Williams continued. “He is in the first three rows of class in high school. He was always on time. He was always attentive. And he was always looking to help. He was a teacher’s assistant… The custodial staff knew him. The cafeteria staff knew him. He was speaking to everyone.”
Williams recognizes how rare these qualities are in a young person like Noland. It’s not that being a good person is difficult, but with constant praise, it’s easy to lose humility.
This understanding helps explain why Noland, the former top-five quarterback in the country who signed with Ohio State but didn’t play, chose to transfer after just one season. He moved to South Carolina, where he won’t start immediately.
That’s what makes Noland intriguing. While it’s common for highly touted quarterbacks to transfer from prestigious programs, it’s far less common for them to choose a school knowing they won’t be the starter right away.
“I didn’t promise Air anything but the opportunity to compete,” USC head coach Shane Beamer said in December. “Didn’t promise him the backup job. Nothing.”
Noland’s journey will likely begin after current starter LaNorris Sellers leaves, with Sellers expected to pursue an NFL career in a year, which would open the starting spot.
Noland’s willingness to wait a year is unusual, but it provides him time to grow and learn from Beamer and offensive coordinator Mike Shula.
“He was honestly looking for the vibe, the feel — the feel of the coach, the feel of the community,” Williams explained. “He wanted to be loved. … Of course, the ability to get coached by the best and the ability to get on the field early.”
“Early” is a flexible term. It could be next season or the year after — college football is unpredictable. Whenever it happens, Williams is confident Noland will be prepared. This is a player who made his own job irrelevant at times.
Noland was so familiar with Langston Hughes’ offense that his coach would let him call two drives per game. Williams would simply say, “Air, you’ve got it,” and Noland would take over.
“He would be able to give the line their protection,” Williams said, “and get the formation set and get the routes out to the receivers. His smarts were through the roof.”
His intelligence matches his maturity.
