It’s a situation that’s becoming more prominent in college football. Look around, and almost every program is facing it.

Weighing an established starter, in this case Jake Bentley, against the backdrop of an athletic incoming freshman, who at least has a chance to see the field in special package situations.

Coach Will Muschamp has kept his cards close on how the coaching staff might use Dakereon Joyner, who he’s quick to point out won a high school state championship as a sophomore. The coach has deflected the notion of Joyner seeing the field by saying, “if he is one of our best 11 on offense, then certainly there is going to be an opportunity for that. That has yet to be determined as we work through camp.”

But, perhaps with a nod to the future, Muschamp offered a glimpse at what sets Joyner apart.

“What I have seen with Dakereon is a guy who has off the charts leadership capability. Positively effects everyone around him,” Muschamp said at the team’s media day. “… He has the uncanny leadership ability to affect everyone around him. He has that kind of charisma, and that is certainly what you want at the quarterback position.”

Of course all the coaches point out that Joyner must first digest the playbook, learn how to read defenses, adjust to the speed of the game, and refine his footwork in the pocket, which has improved. Some of those growing pains manifested themselves in the spring with some turnovers. And Muschamp has already shut down any notion of Joyner playing a position other than quarterback.

However, if Bentley suffers an injury, there’s fifth-year senior Michael Scarnecchia and redshirt freshman Jay Urich who have more experience, and would seemingly be a stop-gap option to finish a game. Remember, when Bentley got the starting job two years ago, it came following a bye week.

New offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon also stuck to the Muschamp script about any situation where Joyner could play.

“It’s still very, very early. And a lot of times, whether a guy is accurate or not, a lot of that has to do with understanding, more so than anything else,” McClendon told reporters, as quoted by the Charleston Post & Courier. “He needs to worry about being quarterback and grasping other stuff rather than a package.”

Peppered with questions by local media, the coaching staff is faced with tamping down expectations, but also dealing with guarded optimism knowing Joyner’s potential.

“He’s still young, as Jay is, and making young-guy mistakes every now and then,” quarterbacks coach Dan Werner said, according to audio posted by SportsTalkSC. “But the thing I like is when they make a mistake, they bounce right back and learn from it, and move on.”

Werner added that Joyner is confident in throwing the ball even though he might be perceived from the outside as having the athleticism to show a run-first mentality early. He was the No. 10-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class.

“He’s throwing the ball well and doing a good job, it’s not like he’s tucking and running the ball every time,” Werner said. “It’s hard for me to say how he feels, but I definitely see a progression.”

But even Joyner’s official team bio on the roster refers to the possibility of a “role in some special packages as a true freshman to get his athleticism on the field.” Those in the Palmetto State understand the potential of the Mr. Football honoree from North Charleston, S.C., who went 40-3 as a high school starter.

Make no mistake, however the situation unfolds with Joyner, this is just the beginning of these questions and decisions to be made. South Carolina holds a commitment from Orange, Calif., 4-star QB Ryan Hilinski, who has 24 offers, and has offered Ohio State commit Dwan Mathis, who has 10 offers.

In light of the new redshirt rule, it’s difficult to see a player of Joyner’s caliber staying on the bench all season. The question is not if, but when Joyner adds a wrinkle to the new McClendon-Werner offense.