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Brock Glenn is FSU starting QB for big game vs Clemson. Why is he named after Auburn?

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Brock Glenn (11) runs with the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half December 30, 2023, in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Brock Glenn is stepping in again to be the starting Florida State quarterback in a big game.

The redshirt freshman will start tonight's ACC game at Doak Campbell Stadium against No. 14 Clemson in what was supposed to be DJ Uiagalelei's revenge game. But the former Tigers QB broke his finger last week at SMU, so it's up to the Tennessee native to attempt to right the ship on the Seminoles' disappointing 1-3 start.

"That's what you come to Florida State for," Glenn said of facing 3-1 Clemson in a primetime game. "That's a great opportunity. You dream of playing in games like these, so just go out and have fun."

Watch FSU vs Clemson live on Fubo (free trial)

Glenn has done this before, stepping in to start the 2023 ACC championship game and the Orange Bowl after Jordan Travis' Heisman campaign was cut short by injury. In five games last season, Glenn completed less than 40% of his passes for 229 yards, though he did run for a touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat abilities.

Here's what to know about FSU's new starting quarterback:

What is Brock Glenn's name? What does Auburn have to do with it?

Brock is actually the FSU quarterback's middle name. His full name is Auburn Brock Glenn, and yes, that is an homage to the SEC school.

Glenn's grandfather graduated from Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1963, and the school was a vital part of his family's identity. "Most of my family grew up Auburn fans,” he said in a 247 Sports story. Auburn did offer Glenn out of high school, but obviously, he chose to go to Florida State.

Where did Brock Glenn come from?

Brock Glenn is a 19-year-old redshirt freshman quarterback from Covington, Tennessee, about 40 miles northeast of Memphis. He is the youngest of five siblings, and he has two sisters who played softball at UT Martin.

Glenn was a dual-threat quarterback at Lausanne Collegiate School, which ran a run-pass option system. He had always used his legs as much as his arm, going back to his middle school days running the Wing T. He developed his arm throughout high school, putting on weight and starting for Lausanne from 2020-22.

Is Brock Glenn a 5-star quarterback?

Brock Glenn was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023 and was ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 13 quarterback nationally. He threw for 3,928 yards with 57 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his high school career, plus 654 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing.

Glenn was offered by Ohio State, but then FSU entered the picture. Lausanne football coach Kevin Locastro sent players to Mike Norvell's camps when he coached at the University of Memphis, and he thought Glenn's style would fit with Norvell's offense at FSU. Eventually, Norvell and FSU quarterback coach Tony Tokarz convinced Glenn to come to Tallahassee.

Brock Glenn became Florida State starting quarterback after Tate Rodemaker, Jordan Travis injury

Brock Glenn battled a finger injury for most of his freshman season but was forced into action at the end of FSU's stellar 2023 season. Starting quarterback Jordan Travis, who was putting together a Heisman-caliber season, suffered a season-ending leg injury November 18. Then backup QB Tate Rodemaker got a concussion the following week against Florida, leaving Glenn, the third-string quarterback, to start the ACC championship game vs. Louisville.

Glenn went just 8 of 21 for 55 yards in that game, but he avoided any big mistakes and FSU won 16-6 to improve to 13-0. He also started the Orange Bowl, going 9 of 26 for 139 yards and two interceptions in a blowout loss to Georgia with dozens of Seminoles players opting out of the bowl game.

Brock Glenn is FSU starting quarterback again after DJ Uiagalelei injury

Brock Glenn entered the 2024 season battling with Trever Jackson and Luke Kromenhoek to be backup QB to DJ Uiagalelei, who transferred to FSU from Oregon State (after spending three seasons at Clemson). Uiagalelei has struggled this season, leading FSU fans to chant "We want Brock!" during the home opener vs. Boston College.

Uiagalelei broke his finger last week against SMU, leading Glenn to step in during the fourth quarter. The redshirt freshman went 0 for 4 in his 2024 debut, and coach Mike Norvell said he would be the starting quarterback for FSU's big game tonight against Clemson.

Where to watch Florida State vs Clemson: Time, TV channel, streaming

  • When: 7 p.m. Saturday, October 5

  • Where: Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee, Florida)

  • TV: ESPN

  • Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month) | Fubo (7-day free trial)

Florida State vs. Clemson will broadcast nationally on ESPN in Week 6 of the 2024 college football season. Mark Jones and Roddy Jones will call the game from the booth at Doak Campbell Stadium, with Quint Kessenich reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Brock Glenn: Florida State quarterback starting vs Clemson