Georgia Tech Football: Top 5 Quarterbacks in School History

Georgia Tech has had some great quarterbacks in its storied history, especially over the past quarter century.  When thinking in terms of the best all time, many names come to mind but a handful stick out more than others.

The Yellow Jackets have run many different offenses over the years, but regardless, the style a trustworthy quarterback is a must have.  Every so often, a special talent comes along who fits perfectly into the scheme and makes his coach very happy.  

Though not every one will agree with the order of this list, most of the names are hard to argue off of anyone's short list.  

Enjoy, and feel free to comment, as always.  

Billy Lothridge may very well have been legendary Coach Bobby Dodd's greatest quarterback.  

Lothridge teamed up with teammate Billy Martin to create a potent passing/rushing attack.  

Billy would receive Hiesman votes in both his junior and senior seasons, including a second-place finish in 1963 to Navy great Roger Staubach.

Not only was Lothridge an award-winning quarterback for Georgia Tech, but he also handled kicking for the Yellow Jackets.

Stats (partial):

Passing:185 Cmp, 372 Att, 2,394 Yds, 18 TD

Rushing: 298 Att, 746 Yds, TD (unavailable)

Kicking: 51 XP, 21 FG

Awards/Honors:

First Team All-American (AP, FWAA); 1963

Second-Team All-American (UPI); 1963

Third-Team All-American (UPI); 1962

Eighth in Heisman Trophy Voting; 1962

Heisman Runner-Up; 1963

SEC Back of the Year; 1963

First-Team All-SEC (AP, UPI); 1962, 1963

Senior Bowl; 1964

Georgia Tech Hall of Fame; 1969

Georgia Tech All-Time Team; 1991

Joshua Nesbitt went to Georgia Tech in 2007 to play for Chan Gailey in a pro-style offense, but a year later, he would be at the helm of Paul Johnson's option attack.  

In an offense that Nesbitt had never played in before, he thrived.  Josh build himself a legendary career on the Flats and became a fan favorite almost instantly.  

Had he not broken his arm on an interception tackle attempt in Blacksburg midway through the 2010 season, Nesbitt's career numbers would have been even more impressive.  If you ever had a chance to see Josh Nesbitt live, or on television, you're aware that it's not just his stats that made an impression but his grit and determination.  

Coach Paul Johnson will be forever indebted to number 9 for a rebuilding period that never really looked like one.  

Stats:

Passing: 173 Cmp, 403 Att, 3,273 Yds, 20 TD

Rushing:  653 Att, 2,806 Yds, 35 TD

Awards/Honors:

ACC Championship; 2009

First Team All-ACC; 2009

Preseason First-Team All-ACC (Blue Ribbon); 2010

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year (Blue Ribbon); 2010

1,000-1,000 Club; 2009

Records:

Most Career Rush Yds in ACC History by Quarterback; 2,806

GT Most Career Rushing Yds by Quarterback; 2,806

GT Most Rushing Yds in Season by Quarterback; 1,037 in 2009

Perhaps, one of the most forgotten all-time great quarterbacks in college football history, Shawn Jones has held firm as one of the best in Georgia Tech history for over two decades.  

Under head coach Bobby Ross, and offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen, Jones flourished into one of the best running quarterbacks in college football in the 1990s.  In only his sophomore season, he led the Yellow Jackets to a Citrus Bowl victory and a share of the 1990 National Championship with a top ranking in the Coaches Poll.  

Eventually overshadowed by the gaudy numbers put up by legendary Joe Hamilton, Shawn Jones still ranks second behind him in most every quarterback record in Georgia Tech history.  

Stats:

Passing: 668 Cmp, 1,240 Att, 8,718 Yds, 53 TD

Rushing: 403 Att, 896 Yds, 20 TD

Awards/Honors:

National Championship; 1990

ACC Player of the Year; 1989

Second-Team All-ACC; 1990, 1991

Citrus Bowl MVP; 1991

Johnny Unitas Award Finalist; 1992

Davey O'Brien Award Finalist; 1992

Blue-Gray Game; 1992

Georgia Tech Hall of Fame; 2003

Records:

GT Most Plays in a Career; 1,609

GT Rushing TD's in a Game; four vs. UGA 1990; vs. Maryland 1989

George "The Goose" Godsey had the monumental task of replacing the greatest quarterback in the history of Georgia Tech Football, and he nailed it.  

Nobody was going to forget Joe Hamilton's career, but Godsey made it an easy transition when he took control of the offense for the Jackets. 

His mentor's numbers were monumental, but Godsey was no slouch either.  In his debut starting season as a junior, Godsey threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns.  His senior campaign he would earn himself All-ACC and All-American honors throwing for 3,085 yards.  

Keep in mind as you look at Godsey's numbers that he only started two seasons, yet racked up a career's worth of statistics.

Stats:

Passing: 484 Cmp, 765 Att, 6,137 Yds, 41 TD

Rushing: 75 Att, -12 Yds, 6 TD

Awards/Honors:

First Team All-American (PFW); 2000

Second Team All-ACC; 2000

First Team All-ACC (FN); 2001

Honorable Mention All-ACC; 2001

Academic All-ACC; 2001

All-Star Gridiron Classic; 2001

East-West Shrine Game; 2001

Seattle Bowl MVP; 2001

Records:

GT Record Single Game Total Offense; 2001 vs. Virginia

GT Record Most Pass Attempts Season; 384 in 2001

Every college football program has at least one name at quarterback that fans use as the measuring tape for all players that come after him.  At Georgia Tech that name is Joe Hamilton.  

Under coach George O'Leary, Hamilton had one of the most consistently successful four-year careers the Yellow Jackets have ever seen.  

From his freshman season of 1996, until his Heisman runner-up campaign four years later, No. 14 left an impression on the Flats that will be tough to overshadow.  

Let's not waste time mulling over the details.  Just take a look at the resulting statistics and accolades which more than speak for themselves.  

Stats:

Passing: 629 Cmp, 1,020 Att, 8,882 Yds, 65 TD

Rushing: 501 Att, 1,758 Yds, 18 TD

Awards/Honors:

Davey O'Brien Award; 1999

NCAA QB of the Year (TCC); 1999

Consensus First-Team All-American- 1999

Heisman Trophy Runner-Up; 1999

Maxwell Award Finalist; 1999

Johnny Unitas Award Finalist; 1999

ACC Player of the Year; 1999

First-Team All-ACC; 1998, 1999

McKevlin Award; 2000

Southeast Area Back of the Year (TCA); 1999

Carquest Bowl MVP; 1997

Gator Bowl MVP; 1999, 2000

ACC 50th Anniversary Football Team; 2002

Georgia Tech Hall of Fame; 2009

Records:

ACC Record Yds per Pass Attempt; 10.03 in 1999

ACC Record Passing Efficiency; 175.00 in 1999

GT Record Career Total Offense; 10,640 Yds

GT Record Single-Season Total Offense; 3,794 Yds 1999

GT Record Career Passing; 8,882 Yds

GT Record Total TD Passes; 65

Eddie Prokop 

John Dewberry

Mike Kelley

Eddie McAshan

Reggie Ball