Jackets looking for one QB to emerge

Sophomore Graham has edge in experience in four-way competition.

After ix prac ices in he spring, a summer of videoconference tutorials and several walkthroughs, Georgia Tech’s quarterback derby has commenced in earnest.

With a four-man race between returning starter James Graham, backup Jordan Yates and incoming freshmen Tucker Gleason and Jeff Sims, the identity of the Yellow Jackets’ starting quarterback for the season opener — and possibly well into the future — is being determined under the eye of offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude in Tech’s preseason.

“The plan is not to have to play two, three or four guys,” Patenaude said Friday via videoconference following the team’s third preseason practice. “We’d love to be able to settle on one guy and have him have a tremendous year, but we’re going to give all those guys equal opportunity to figure it out.”

Patenaude played three quarterbacks in Tech’s first two games last season before Graham claimed the job in the fourth game.

With Graham the relative veteran as a sophomore – Yates is a redshirt freshman – Tech may have the youngest group of scholarship quarterbacks in FBS. Tobias Oliver, who started the first and fourth games of last season, is now at cornerback. Lucas Johnson, who started the second and third games, left as a grad transfer for San Diego State.

Graham started the final eight games, at times showing stunning playmaking ability and his inexperience. Graham was at his best in leading the Jackets to a 28-26 home win over N.C. State with three touchdown passes and 112 rushing yards.

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