The Citadel Opens Spring Practice, Names Quentin Hayes Starting Quarterback

The Citadel has named junior Quentin Hayes its starting quarterback as spring practice opened Feb. 26 under head coach Maurice Drayton, marking the first time Drayton’s program has entered spring with a clear starter at the position. The decision removes a roster question that has followed Drayton since he took over and gives Hayes a runway to command the offense in front of coaches and evaluators.

Hayes, listed as a junior in the program’s personnel, was given the starting designation as the team kicked off on-field work this week. That clarity matters for practice reps and play-calling; with Hayes locked in as the starter, the coaching staff can allocate first-team snaps, install series concepts, and measure timing with returning receivers across spring sessions beginning Feb. 26.

For Maurice Drayton and his staff, naming a starter now addresses both player development and roster management. Drayton’s tenure has been marked by quarterback uncertainty until this announcement, and committing to Hayes gives coordinators a focal point for scheme adjustments and for evaluating offensive line and skill-position fit during the spring window. Those evaluations will shape staffing decisions ahead of summer and fall preparation.

The move also has roster-level implications in the transfer era. With Hayes announced as the starter at the outset of spring practice, prospective transfers and high school targets get a clearer picture of the depth chart as recruiting conversations continue. For The Citadel, solidifying the quarterback spot on Feb. 26 could influence whether fringe quarterbacks seek opportunities elsewhere or remain to compete under Drayton’s system.

Practically, Hayes’ elevation sets measurable objectives for the coming weeks of spring practice. Coaches will track completion percentage in team drills, decision-making under pressure during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work, and drive efficiency in scripted periods. Those metrics will determine whether Hayes sustains the starting role into summer camp and beyond, and they will signal to opponents and prospects the direction of The Citadel’s offense under Drayton.

Naming Quentin Hayes starting quarterback as spring began on Feb. 26 gives The Citadel a tangible storyline to follow through the spring calendar: a junior quarterback with the starting tag, a coaching staff aiming to convert that tag into on-field continuity, and a program seeking the roster stability needed to navigate recruiting and the transfer market.