March 1, 2010
ATLANTA – Jaybo Shaw, Georgia Tech’s top back-up at quarterback the past two seasons, will transfer to Georgia Southern at the end of the current semester. Shaw will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson signed Shaw’s release form this morning.
Because Shaw is transferring down from an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) school, he will not be required to sit out a season, although Shaw has not used a redshirt season to this point. Shaw will play at GSU for head coach Jeff Monken, who was a Georgia Tech assistant coach the past two seasons.
“I have mixed feelings,” Shaw said. “I am excited to go to Georgia Southern and play for Coach Monken, but sad to leave Georgia Tech, my teammates and the fans. I appreciate everything Coach Johnson has done for me.
“While I will have the opportunity to compete for a starting role, a part of my decision is academic related. I want to get my college degree in education, which is offered at Georgia Southern.”
Shaw played a significant role as a true freshman in 2008 when he played in seven games and started Tech’s home shutout win over Duke. He completed 15-of-24 passes (.625) on the season for 321 yards, and he rushed 63 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Last season Shaw was slowed initially by a broken collarbone suffered in an August practice. He saw action in six games, but saw less snaps as starter Josh Nesbitt stayed relatively injury-free in 2009.
Tech returns Nesbitt, a first team All-ACC quarterback, this fall, although the senior signal-caller will miss spring practice to recover from ankle surgery. Shaw was expected to compete with at least three other returning quarterbacks – rising sophomore Tevin Washington and redshirt freshmen Jordan Luallen and David Sims – for the top back-up role. At least one true freshman could join that race as well.
Spring practice begins March 29.
