Georgia State adds Furman starting quarterback Darren Grainger as transfer

Former Furman starting quarterback Darren Grainger is enrolling at Georgia State as a transfer, head coach Shawn Elliott announced.

Grainger adds depth to the Panthers’ quarterback room, joining starter Cornelious Brown IV, a redshirt freshman who accounted for 2,579 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2020, and freshman backup Mikele Colasurdo.

Grainger spent two seasons (2018-19) at Furman and served as the Paladins’ primary starting quarterback in 2019, when he was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team. Starting 11 of 13 games, he passed for 1,222 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 316 yards and five scores for a Furman squad that earned an at-large berth to the FCS playoffs and the No. 16 ranking in the AFCA Coaches final poll.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder had his best game of the season against Georgia State, passing for 311 yards and four touchdowns, along with 53 yards rushing, in the Panthers’ 48-42 victory. He was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Week and STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week.

Grainger played in four games including one start in a redshirt season in 2018.

A native of Conway, S.C., he played at Conway High School, where he was a wide receiver before moving to quarterback as a senior.