Georgia Tech Football 2018 Position Previews: Quarterback

Georgia Tech knows that their starting quarterback in 2018 will be TaQuon Marshall but who is behind the senior signal caller in 2018?

Projected Depth Chart for Week 1:

1. Taquon Marshall
2. Lucas Johnson
   OR
3. Tobias Oliver
4. James Graham
5. Ryan Lantz

 TaQuon Marshall – Senior:

As a first-year starter in 2017, TaQuon Marshall’s season last year was quality overall. The rising senior showed some flashes that made Tech fans excited but ultimately his decision making and inability to be a capable passer last season hurt the Yellow Jackets offensively. After emphasizing his passing game throughout the off season, Marshall and the rest of the program hope to see some necessary strides in the passing game this fall. If the passing game is once again ineffective to a similar degree as last year, the narrative of the Jackets having a one-dimensional offense will continue and only get worse throughout the season.

Is Marshall the most talented quarterback on the Jackets roster? Probably not. But is he the quarterback that will provide the most success in 2018? Yes. With his experience from a season ago, and his overall ability to be a huge play maker on the ground, Marshall is the best option at quarterback in 2018 for the Jackets even if he struggles in the passing game once again.

Lucas Johnson – RS Sophomore:

Johnson was a quarterback who showed he could be a potentially effective and dynamic quarterback in this year’s spring game. After seeing two quarterbacks leave the depth chart this offseason due to transfer (Jay Jones) and choice/retirement (Matthew Jordan), Johnson will get a chance to see quality playing time in 2018. While he will have to battle Tobias Oliver throughout the season for reps, Johnson should get his chances in 2018 and could provide relief to the Jackets passing game if necessary as he was considered a pro-style quarterback coming out of high school and might just be the best overall passer in the quarterback room for the Jackets.

Tobias Oliver – RS Freshman:

Oliver will be battling Johnson throughout the season most likely for the backup role. Johnson was a highly touted quarterback coming out of Tennessee and due to James Graham coming in this past recruiting cycle and slowly become the forgotten quarterback this offseason. Fans shouldn’t underestimate Oliver, who did make his presence known in this year’s spring game. He still needs to polish and refine some of his tools but overall, the base is there for Oliver to be a quality quarterback in the future for the Yellow Jackets. He’ll get his chance as either a starter or primary backup, it’s just a matter of when at this point and not if.

James Graham – Freshman:

The highest ranked quarerback on Georgia Tech’s roster, Graham in a season or two will be battling it out to be Georgia Tech’s starting quarterback for the next three or four years. However, this season, Graham will have to be patient at watch mostly from the sidelines. While the coaching staff may look to get him into to a game, just to see what they potentially have, there is no rush to play the four-star signal caller. His time will come and a year to learn the offense, add some muscle, and get used to the life a collegiate football player during the season will do Graham a ton of good and get him ready to take that next step in the spring.

Ryan Lantz – Freshman:

Lantz, a walk-on from North Palm Beach, Florida will be a scout team quarterback for the Yellow Jackets in 2018 and beyond.

TaQuon Marshall, Lucas Johnson, and the rest of the quarterback room will begin fall camp in the upcoming days. The Jackets will begin to prepare for their season opener on September 1st against the Alcorn State Braves.