Aug. 24, 2004
ATLANTA–Georgia Tech’s Mark Logan has bounced between quarterback and wide receiver in his career and worked at both positions in the spring, but the fifth-year senior is now concentrating on quarterback.
“We felt like we needed to give him some reps,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey. “We worked him some there last spring, and we hadn’t worked him this fall. We felt like it was time to get him some reps in case we have to use him.
“I think we need to add execution to that position as much as competition, and we weren’t getting the execution that we needed.”
True freshman Taylor Bennett had been sharing the second team snaps with redshirt freshman Patrick Carter, behind starter Reggie Ball.
“Our thought is that he’s done a great job but he’s not quite ready,” Gailey said of Bennett, the lefthander from St. Louis, Mo. “So instead of pushing him too fast, we’ll slow that down and give Mark reps.”
Logan was recruited as a quarterback and played there on the scout team his first two years at Tech, but he has not taken a snap in a game. He moved to receiver in 2002 and caught 10 passes over the 2002-03 seasons before working at both positions in the spring. This preseason, he had worked exclusively at receiver until this week.
“Mark picked up right where he left off in spring practice,” said Gailey. “He has amazing knowledge and retention of the offense. I was impressed.”
For his part, Logan says he’s just looking for a chance to help the team.
“If Coach needs to me to go in at quarterback, I can be a quarterback,” said the Greenwood, S.C. native. “If he needs me to go in at receiver, I can be a receiver. If he needs me on special teams . . . wherever he needs me, I can go in and do it.
“I just look at this as a chance to help the team.”
Logan’s biggest moment as a Yellow Jacket was last year’s win over Auburn, when he made a diving catch for a 26-yard touchdown reception. He caught three other passes last fall for a total of four receptions for 110 yards, and he also had one kickoff return for 17 yards and two tackles on special teams.
“It’s pretty easy going back and forth from quarterback to receiver because I know the routes and I know the reads,” said Logan.
Tech opens the 2004 season Sept. 4 against Samford at 1 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.
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