Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates decided to leave after three seasons with the Yellow Jackets. On schedule to graduate in May with a business degree, Yates will leave as a grad transfer. Yates, who made his announcement Tuesday, follows star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who made his transfer announcement Monday.
Yates played in eight games this season, starting six, as a backup to Jeff Sims. In those eight games, he completed 91 of 153 passes (59.5%) for 908 yards with six touchdown passes against three interceptions. Yates, who as a senior led Milton High to its first state championship in football, distinguished himself with his work habits, scrambling ability and creativity in the pocket and his toughness. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
“Thank you so much for taking me in as one of your own and allowing me to feel a part of the family,” Yates wrote in a message on Twitter. “During my time here I made memories and relationships that will last a lifetime.”
Yates’ decision to leave is tied to his ambition to be a starter. Particularly among quarterbacks, that’s common. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were more than 100 quarterbacks in the transfer portal, according to a person with access to the database.
“He’s had a great time at Georgia Tech,” Yates’ father, Evan, told the AJC. “Learned a lot, grew as a man, as a student and as a quarterback and just wants to take the next step in his life. He wants to help a team get better, and he knows he has the skills to do that. And now he has the experience.”
With Yates transferring, Tech has three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster – Sims, Chayden Peery and Trad Beatty. Coach Geoff Collins has a quarterback committed for the 2022 signing class, Zach Pyron of Pinson Valley High in Alabama.
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