Coastal Carolina quarterback Ethan Vasko enters transfer portal. Here’s what we know
After being benched twice and having an up-and-down 2024 season, Coastal Carolina’s starting quarterback, Ethan Vasko, could leave the program.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Vasko will enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. A dual-threat quarterback, Vasko started all 12 of CCU’s games in 2024, throwing 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 55 percent completion percentage.
It’s unclear which college football programs could pine for his services.
Despite flashes of strong play, 2024’s been a difficult season for the Virginia native. Having lost two of his best receivers, Sam Pinckney, to the NFL and Jared Brown to the portal, Vasko’s new targets frequently dropped throws and potential touchdown passes throughout the season. The offense also proved inconsistent and prone to losing steam, sometimes lapsing into conservative playcalling that put Coastal in many long third-down situations.
Vasko’s completion percentage oscillated from very accurate performances against Appalachian State to completing less than 28 percent of his throws against James Madison. Vasko was benched several times throughout the season for backup Noah Kim, but Kim proved a little better, and Vasko soldiered on as the starter. CBS Sports and 247 Sports reported Kim will also enter the transfer portal.
The deep passing game, in particular, proved erratic, as Coastal struggled to find a consistent formula for getting the ball downfield with a quick-strike offense. However, Vasko never blamed his wide receivers for the drops. Despite this, these problems led to offensive coordinator Travis Trickett being fired midway through the season and Head Coach Tim Beck taking over playcalling duties.
It wasn’t the desired result, as CCU entered the 2024 season with hope.
Indeed, Vasko’s 2023 campaign showed his potential to lead the Chanticleers. He performed well, relieving injured quarterbacks Grayson McCall and Jarrett Guest in 2023 as a redshirt freshman. In four starts, Vasko threw seven touchdowns and only one interception, piloting Beck’s offense during his first season as head coach.
A dual-threat quarterback, Vasko fits Beck’s ideals of a mobile passer who uses option run plays to stress opposing defenses or evade pressure and find open targets downfield. This Vasko did well, rushing for more than 800 yards in two seasons, but the scheme exposed him to many hits from defenders eager to take a shot at him.
Vasko frequently limped or grimaced intermittently through CCU’s games this season. However, he and Beck said before the season that Vasko staying aggressive on offense using his legs would remain a top priority.
It was always a possibility that Vasko would transfer after the 2024 season, especially if he put in a strong performance. Vasko said before the 2024 season began no other college football programs made overtures.
Vasko’s decision also puts CCU in a difficult position heading into postseason play. It’s unknown if he’ll suit up for a bowl-game-eligible Coastal Carolina. With Kim also transferring and former backup DJ Moore removed from the team after being arrested in October 2024, only Tad Hudson and Alex Walker remain on Coastal’s quarterback depth chart. However, Hudson and Walker played little this season.
CCU will also face an uncertain future at quarterback entering 2025. Combined with three-star recruit Chris Denson from Florida, who de-committed from the Chants to sign with Clemson, the quarterback position will be one crucial area Beck must address before the 2025 season starts.
This story was originally published December 5, 2024 at 11:51 AM.
