{"id":6422,"date":"2014-01-13T21:59:47","date_gmt":"2014-01-14T02:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6422"},"modified":"2014-01-14T07:28:10","modified_gmt":"2014-01-14T12:28:10","slug":"georgia-tech-starting-qb-transferring-to-jmu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6422","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Tech Starting QB Transferring to JMU"},"content":{"rendered":"

The scuttlebutt Rob wrote about a couple of weeks ago came through today when it was announced that Vad Lee, the starting QB at Georgia Tech this past season, has transferred to JMU to play for Coach Withers and the Dukes. \u00a0There are multiple angles from which to analyze this, most obviously what it means for Michael Birdsong moving forward but to suggest the infusion of a clearly established BCS-level talent isn’t a positive for JMU is just crazy-talk. \u00a0Last year the Dukes had exactly zero QB’s on the bench that anyone felt comfortable with in the event the GingaNinja went down for any extended stretch. \u00a0So long as both guys get a fair shot and the best guy plays, it should be a huge positive for JMU to have two very capable QB’s.<\/p>\n

On the Birdsong front, we’ve loved the kid and he’s proven to be tough and a decent team leader, but let’s be clear. \u00a0The “record-setting” year he had last year was in part a product of former OC Mike O’Cain’s more modern offense replacing Mickey’s sputtering run-run-penalty-run offense. \u00a0And for those that have been following the program for a while, the Ginger Giant hasn’t even reached Matt LeZotte status. \u00a0If you’ll recall, LeZotte was a redshirt senior when he was forced to the bench by the transfer in of Justin Riscati from Louisville. \u00a0That worked out pretty well. \u00a0No matter what, we’re rootin’ for both guys to play great and we’ll know if Birdsong wins the job, he will really have earned it now.<\/p>\n

\"090113_Vad_Lee_JC1\"<\/a>Lee’s decision raises more questions for us. \u00a0Obviously it’s a nice statement for Withers out of the gate. And it does seem Lee wants a chance to play in an offense that would give him a chance to not only run, but also showcase his all-around game and passing ability, and was stuck in a bit of a dead-end situation if he has further football aspirations running the pure triple-option under Coach Paul Johnson as a Yellow Jacket. \u00a0But a couple of things seem curious. \u00a0First, with Birdsong here it seems highly unlikely that he was promised a starting spot or that such a spot is a sure thing in a competition with a still relatively young starter in place. \u00a0But second, the thing that’s really not sitting well with us is you’ve got to wonder if he’d really want to transfer to a program that may have very little opportunity for postseason play at either level if it changes classification this spring. \u00a0In other words, would you want to spend your final two seasons in transitional years with no playoffs or bowls? \u00a0We certainly hope he wasn’t told the playoffs are likely this year because JMU isn’t moving. That said, it’s important to note that he had to transfer down to FCS if he wanted to play right away so it’s not like a move to another FBS school would have been nearly as appealing. \u00a0And who knows, we can all hope he’ll play his senior year as an FBS-transitional school no matter what!<\/p>\n

In any case, getting a starting QB to transfer from a successful ACC program is no small thing and provides the Dukes with a hugely solidified situation under center and we can’t wait to see the competition hopefully bring out the best in both young men! \u00a0Also, signing day’s around the corner now and we can only hope this is a sign of things to come.<\/p>\n

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