South Carolina Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp spoke publicly on Thursday for the first time about the decision to name Ryan Hilinski as the team's No. 2 quarterback ahead of Dakereon Joyner.

Muschamp discussed the two backup quarterbacks during a Columbia Touchdown Club meeting.

“Dakereon is still playing quarterback. He’ll also help our team in other positions,” Muschamp said, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.

“He has handled everything in a first-class manner.”

Offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon confirmed to reporters on Tuesday evening that Hilinski was named as the team’s backup quarterback, which Kendall was first to report earlier that morning.

Ben Breiner of The State also quoted Muschamp on Thursday afternoon.

“Ryan is repping for our second group,” Muschamp said. “Dakereon is continuing to rep at the quarterback position. This is something we needed to narrow down the reps for someone. Ryan ended up getting those reps.”

Muschamp didn’t specify what other types of roles Joyner could be used in this season, before adding that “we will see how that evolves.”

Also, Muschamp reportedly said during the touchdown club meeting on Thursday that freshman Jammie Robinson “probably would be our starting nickel,” if the season started on Friday.

The fourth-year head coach is scheduled to make his first ‘Carolina Calls’ appearance of the season on Thursday. One would presume that Hilinski and Joyner will be a topic of conversation with former South Carolina quarterback Todd Ellis, who hosts the show and serves as the radio play-by-play voice for the Gamecocks.