| Junior George Godsey has laid claim to the starting quarterback job this Spring. |
ATLANTA (April 14) – Junior George Godsey (Tampa, Fla.) has emerged from spring practice as Georgia Tech’s number one quarterback, edging redshirt freshman Andy Hall (Cheraw, S.C.), head coach George O’Leary announced.
Redshirt freshman Brian Camp (Dublin, Ohio) and sophomore Jermaine Crenshaw (Greenville, Ala.), who were also involved in the competition to replace Joe Hamilton, are bracketed together on the third team.
“After going through 15 days of spring practice, it was a very close race between George Godsey and Andy Hall,” said O’Leary, whose squad concluded spring drills Wednesday. “It comes down to who made fewer mistakes and better decisions. With that in mind, Godsey will go into the preseason as number one, with Hall second.
“But that quarterback position is just like any other position. The only thing we’re guaranteeing is the first snap. After that it’s up to you to keep the job and continue to grow and get better and make us a very productive offense.”
Godsey is the only quarterback who returns any game experience. As the backup to Hamilton the last two years, the 6-2, 202-pounder has completed 13 of 32 passes for 146 yards, including 5-for-13 and 57 yards in six games last fall.
“It was expected this spring to see George make better decisions, especially in special situations such as two-minute and blitz pickup,” said O’Leary. “Not that the other young quarterbacks didn’t get better, but I think experience was the deciding factor.
“Andy Hall is a very talented quarterback with a very strong arm, very accurate, but there’s more to that position and he has to mature.
“I’m happy with the decision. With 15 days of spring practice, they each may have had their day, but the most consistent throughout the 15 days was George Godsey.”
The Yellow Jackets, who open the 2000 season Aug. 27 at national runnerup Virginia Tech in the BCA Bowl, begin the preseason on Aug. 1, when the freshmen report to campus.
“Now we go into the preseason with a number one, two and three, and its the job of two and three to push number one,” said O’Leary. “Competition will make everyone better.”
