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Timmy McClain announces transfer from USF to UCF

His decision comes days after losing the Bulls’ starting job to Gerry Bohanon.
 
Quarterback Timmy McClain announced he is transferring from USF to UCF.
Quarterback Timmy McClain announced he is transferring from USF to UCF. [ ARIELLE BADER | Times ]
Published Aug. 19, 2022|Updated Aug. 19, 2022

Former USF quarterback Timmy McClain will be transferring to War on I-4 rival UCF. He announced his commitment to the Knights on Friday afternoon.

McClain started nine games for the Bulls as a true freshman last season, completing 55.3% of his passes for 1,888 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 238 yards and four scores.

The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Sanford native showed flashes of high-level talent after taking the starting job last year away from Cade Fortin. But he was inconsistent and inexperienced.

Related: Why USF football named Gerry Bohanon the Bulls’ starting quarterback

McClain entered 2022 as the Bulls’ expected starter, but USF chose to add Baylor transfer Gerry Bohanon from the transfer portal. Bohanon, a fifth-year player, helped the Bears win the Big 12 last season and immediately impressed his new teammates and coaches.

Sunday night, coach Jeff Scott told McClain that Bohanon would start this season for the Bulls. Within a day, McClain was in the transfer portal and off the Bulls’ roster as he looked for a new destination. Scott was not surprised by the decision; incumbent quarterbacks very rarely stay after losing the job to a transfer.

“I think he has a big future ahead of him,” Scott said earlier this week. “I wish him the best of luck. Obviously we would have loved for him to stay ...”

McClain’s athleticism makes him an intriguing fit for the Knights under coach Gus Malzahn. UCF’s top quarterbacks for this season include sophomore Mikey Keene and Mississippi transfer John Rhys Plumlee.

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