Trey Klock explains rationale for transferring from Georgia Tech

Trey Klock started seven games at offensive tackle for the Yellow Jackets over his first two seasons. (GT Athletics/Danny Karnik)

Trey Klock started seven games at offensive tackle for the Yellow Jackets over his first two seasons. (GT Athletics/Danny Karnik)

It wasn’t an easy decision for Trey Klock to decide to transfer from Georgia Tech. He earned a starting spot at offensive tackle. He has close friends on the team. He is succeeding academically.

Ultimately, though, Klock said that he wasn’t happy. Hence, his decision to leave Tech as a graduate transfer after he earns his business administration degree in the summer, plans that he made public Tuesday.

“It had nothing to do with the offense or anything like that,” Klock told the AJC. “I wasn’t happy, and I wanted to do something about it. A lot of it was not being close to my family.”

Klock is from Hummelstown, Pa., in the central part of the state. It’s his intent to transfer to a school closer to home where he’ll have two years of eligibility remaining. His plan is to earn an MBA in that time.

Klock said he gave the decision a lot of thought over the holiday break. He said his family supported him, but also encouraged him to stay at least another year. He acknowledged that some of his dissatisfaction this year stemmed from an ankle injury that took him out of the starting lineup after two games and caused him to miss three games, but that there was more to it than that.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with coach (Paul) Johnson or anything,” he said. “Everyone has their own reasons. I know I’m going to graduate and get out, and that was just my thing, but I’ve talked with a lot of the guys that have (transferred), and none of them rushed their decisions. It was all just something that was best for them. I support all of them. People on the team support them.”

Klock became the eighth player to transfer since the end of the regular season, or, in his case, make plans to do so. He said he has official visits lined up, but declined to identify them. He said he was considering a number of Patriot League schools, but was disappointed to learn that the FCS league does not accept graduate transfers.

He said he plans to make a decision within the next six weeks.

Klock expressed thanks to Tech coaches, starting with Paul Johnson and offensive line coach Mike Sewak, and support staff such as sports medicine director Jay Shoop, strength-and-conditioning coach John Sisk and academic support director Chris Breen. Klock said Johnson gave him a full release.

“I thank him for everything,” Klock said of Johnson. “This is such a good opportunity to come down here and live in Atlanta and play in the ACC. It meant a lot to me.”