List of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets starting quarterbacks

This is a list of every Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team quarterback and the years they participated on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. Georgia Tech quarterbacks have led Georgia Tech to 772 wins, 47 bowl games, and 4 National Championships. Three quarterbacks have received Heisman Trophy votes and one of the quarterbacks, Billy Lothridge, received votes in multiple years.

Nine Georgia Tech quarterbacks have been taken in the National Football League draft since 1936. Including the NFL, Georgia Tech quarterbacks have also played professionally in the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League, World Football League, and American Football League. Three former Georgia Tech quarterbacks went on to be head coaches in Division I-A or professional football.

Georgia Tech quarterbacks have played prominent roles in American society off the gridiron as well. Froggie Morrison, the starting quarterback for the 222-0 game, served in World War I after graduating in 1916. Pat McHugh graduated in 1942, fought in World War II, and returned in 1946 to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Eddie McAshan became the first African American to start at quarterback for a major Southeastern university during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement.

Four Georgia Tech quarterbacks transferred from other universities and won starting jobs at Georgia Tech. Of the four, two men transferred from archrival University of Georgia and ironically defeated the Bulldogs three times in four meetings including the first contest of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate. In the 2008 college football season, five different current or former Yellow Jacket quarterbacks started for three different Division I-A football teams including Georgia Tech.

Main starting quarterbacks

1979 to present

The following quarterbacks were the leading passer for the Yellow Jackets each season since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1979. NameYears StartedNotabilityReferencesHaynes King2023-2025Transferred in from Texas A&M. Beat out Zach Pyron for the 2023 starting job.Jeff Sims2020-2022First freshman quarterback to start in a season opener since Reggie Ball in 2003 and the first true freshman to win a season opener.Tobias Oliver, James Graham, Lucas Johnson2019 With the departure of head coach Paul Johnson, new head coach Geoff Collins started a battery of quarterbacks throughout the 2019 season. Tobias Oliver received the first start of the season against #1 ranked Clemson but Coach Collins also leaned heavily on James Graham and Lucas Johnson in differing situations. All three have started games in 2019.TaQuon Marshall2017–2018 Marshall was the third-string quarterback in the 2016 season, playing 14 snaps behind Justin Thomas and Matthew Jordan. In his first game as a starter, Marshall rushed 44 times for 249 yards and 5 touchdowns against the University of Tennessee, setting modern-era Georgia Tech and ACC records in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns.Justin Thomas2014–2016 Thomas played 10 games in 2013 as a backup to Vad Lee. In the 2014 season, Thomas became the fifth Georgia Tech quarterback to rush for more than 700 yards in one season. Also led the 2014 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team on the field to 11 game winning season and first Orange Bowl victory since 1952.Vad Lee2013Lee shared the feature quarterback role in the 2012 season with starter Tevin Washington. While Washington played the majority of the snaps the first few games, Coach Paul Johnson found a way to have use of the veteran Washington and to get the dynamic redshirt freshmen Lee experience-gaining snaps. Johnson alternated the two quarterbacks every other series (Washington played two series, followed by Lee playing two series), allowing Washington to keep his role as team leader while Lee gathered experience for his future.Tevin Washington2010–2012Started in 2010 after Josh Nesbitt suffered a broken arm, and began the 2011 season as starter. Finished career as the ACC record holder for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Joshua Nesbitt2008–2010Started majority of 2008 season as true sophomore and every game of the 2009–2010 seasons until suffering a broken arm on November 4, 2010.Taylor Bennett2007First start against University of Connecticut in 2005 after Reggie Ball caught viral meningitis. Started every game of the 2007 season. Transferred to Louisiana Tech after graduating in the Spring of 2008. Started five games in the 2008 season, winning two games, and accumulating 900 yards of offense for the LA Tech Bulldogs before being supplanted by Ross Jenkins. Played professionally in 2009 for the Stockholm Mean Machines in Sweden. Later, served in the Georgia House of Representatives. Reggie Ball2003–2006Started all four years at Georgia Tech, missing only two games his entire career. Found academically ineligible for the 2007 Gator Bowl after his 2006 senior season. Played professional football for the Detroit Lions in 2007. A.J. Suggs2002Transferred to Georgia Tech from the University of Tennessee in the Spring of 2002. Played sparingly in 2003, after being supplanted by true freshman Reggie Ball.George Godsey2000–2001Started junior and senior seasons for Georgia Tech. Played professional football for the Tampa Bay Storm in 2003. Formerly an offensive assistant for the New England Patriots and is currently Quarterbacks coach for the Houston Texans.Joe Hamilton 1996–1999Started four seasons for Georgia Tech including a Heisman Trophy runner-up season in 1999. Played professional football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Predators, and Frankfurt Galaxy.Donnie Davis 1993, 1995Started two seasons for Georgia Tech. Did not start the 1994 season due to new head coach Bill Lewis and injuries. Played professional football for the Arizona Rattlers and Georgia Force.Tommy Luginbill 1994Transferred to Georgia Tech from Palomar College in 1994. Started only season at Georgia Tech and transferred Eastern Kentucky University following the season. Played professional football for the Texas Terror and Florida Bobcats. Currently college football analyst for ESPNShawn Jones 1989–1992Started four seasons for Georgia Tech. Led Georgia Tech to a national title in the 1990 season. Played professional football for the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Stallions.Todd Rampley1988First start against Michigan State University in 1985 after John Dewberry was suspended for staying out past curfew. Started all games of senior season.Rick Strom1986–1987Started throughout the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Broke his pinkie finger on October 21, 1987 in practice before Tennessee Volunteers game and missed final five games. Played professional football for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Served as Georgia Tech's radio color commentator for football.John Dewberry1983–1985Transferred to Georgia Tech from the University of Georgia and defeated the Bulldogs two times in three attempts. Played professional football for the Calgary Stampeders.Jim Bob Taylor1982Started for Georgia Tech in the 1982 season. Played professional football for the Baltimore Colts.Mike Kelley 1978–1981Started for Georgia Tech for the majority of four seasons. Played professional football for the Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers.

1964 to 1978

The following quarterbacks were the leading passer for the Yellow Jackets each season the team was a non-conference independent team, following their withdrawal from the Southeastern Conference.

NameYears StartedNotabilityReferencesGary Lanier1976–1977Started throughout his freshman and sophomore seasons. Memorable game against the University of Notre Dame in 1976 in which Georgia Tech defeated the Irish without throwing a single pass.Danny Myers1975Started with Rudy Allen throughout 1975 season.Rudy Allen1974Started throughout junior and senior seasons at Georgia Tech. Started at quarterback in 1975 game against Notre Dame, which was featured prominently in the 1993 film Rudy about Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger.Jim Stevens1973Started first game against the University of Georgia in 1972 after suspension of starter Eddie McAshan. Played baseball for Georgia Tech in 1974. MVP of the 1972 Liberty Bowl.Eddie McAshan1970–1972First African-American to start at quarterback for a major Southeastern university. First African-American to receive athletic scholarship at Georgia Tech. Started until junior year suspension due to controversial conflict with coach Bill Fulcher. Played professional football for Jacksonville Sharks.Jack Williams1969Started for Georgia Tech throughout his senior season. After graduation, Williams coached at Georgia Tech, University of Richmond, and University of Virginia.Larry Good1968Started for Georgia Tech in his senior season. Holds records for most plays in a game for Georgia Tech with 68 and most passes attempted in a game with 61. Both records accomplished in 1968 contest against the University of Tennessee. Drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1969.Kim King1965–1967Started three season for Georgia Tech. Participated as a Georgia Tech color commentator with Al Ciraldo from 1974 to 1993. Continued on after Ciraldo's retirement with Wes Durham until King's death in 2004.

1933 to 1964

The following quarterbacks were the leading passer for the Yellow Jackets each season the team was a member of the Southeastern Conference.