The Citadel Rotates Three Quarterbacks Amid Injuries
The Bulldogs are utilizing Quentin Hayes, Nick Billoups, and Xavier Hill to manage injuries.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
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The Citadel football team is currently rotating three different quarterbacks through its lineup following injuries at the position. Quentin Hayes remains the primary starter while the coaching staff also incorporates Nick Billoups and redshirt freshman Xavier Hill.
Why it matters
The shift in quarterback management aims to balance immediate roster needs caused by injuries with the long-term developmental goals for younger players like Hill. Coaches are strategically integrating these personnel changes to maintain offensive consistency throughout the remainder of the season.
Quentin Hayes, the current starter, recorded 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns during the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Xavier Hill has demonstrated potential in limited action, highlighted by a 52-yard pass completion.
The players
Quentin Hayes
He serves as the starting quarterback for The Citadel football team.
Xavier Hill
He is a redshirt freshman quarterback for The Citadel who is being integrated into game play.
Nick Billoups
He serves as a backup quarterback for The Citadel.
Tony Coaxum
He is the special teams coach for The Citadel.
The details
The coaching staff is using specific game situations to facilitate Xavier Hill's progress, even as the team continues to rely on Quentin Hayes and Nick Billoups. These adjustments follow a challenging matchup against Texas A&M, where the team faced a high-powered offense that recorded 500 total yards and 41 points.
Timeline
The Citadel utilized a two-quarterback system during the 2025 season.
The Bulldogs defeated South Carolina State in September 2026.
Mary Coaxum Jones, mother of coach Tony Coaxum, died between October 14 and 18, 2026.
The Citadel competed against Texas A&M on October 17, 2026.
Coaching staff reviewed game film and conducted practice on October 18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The transition to a three-quarterback rotation marks a significant tactical departure from the system utilized during the 2025 season. This shift impacts the team's offensive rhythm as the staff balances current injury management with the development of younger players for future games.
The rotation strategy directly affects offensive play-calling dynamics and the distribution of game snaps among the three quarterbacks. Fantasy analysts and followers should track how these specific personnel groupings influence the team's total yardage output following the 500-yard mark conceded to Texas A&M.
The takeaway
Effective roster management during an injury crisis is critical to maintaining a team's competitive standing mid-season. Fans should note how the gradual integration of redshirt freshmen like Xavier Hill serves as a bridge between current roster depth and future offensive performance.
Further reading
For more updates on the Bulldogs, visit the Charleston Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
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