Georgia Tech’s signing class has its quarterback. On the final day of the early signing period, Fitzgerald High quarterback James Graham sent in his letter of intent to Tech, going back on his commitment to Virginia Tech.
Georgia Tech had continued its pursuit of Graham after he had committed to Virginia Tech in October, believing in his ability to run the Yellow Jackets’ offense. Besides being closer to home, Georgia Tech was also able to offer Graham that opportunity; Virginia Tech and others recruited Graham at other positions.
That advantage has often played to Georgia Tech’s advantage with in its recruitment of quarterbacks.
"He wants a real opportunity to play the position that he loves, and that's what we're recruiting him as and not anything else," safeties coach Andy McCollum said on a Youtube video released by the team.
Graham, 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, is a dual-threat quarterback who played in a spread offense at Fitzgerald. 247 Sports rated him a four-star prospect, the No. 18 athlete in the country and the No. 38 prospect in the state of Georgia. He becomes the highest-rated recruit in the state to sign with Tech, ahead of safety Charlie Thomas at No. 66.
McCollum said Graham has speed, thorws well, is not shy of contact and is competitive.
“Fits what we are and what we do and will be a tremendous player,” said McCollum, who was Graham’s primary recruiter. “If he breaks it, he’s gone.”
Graham’s signing adds some depth to the position. With the transfer of Jay Jones and Matthew Jordan’s decision to forego his final year of eligilbity due to a foot injury, the Jackets only had three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster – TaQuon Marshall, Lucas Johnson and Tobias Oliver.
“He can do a lot of things with the ball,” McCollum said. “When the ball’s in his hands, something’s happening.”
Tech’s class is now at 18 members and has room for three or possibly four more signees. Coaches will continue to recruit for the February signing period.
