Georgia Tech QB Bennett to transfer

Apr 28, 2008 - 6:57 PM RUSTON, Louisiana (Ticker) -- Georgia Tech starting quarterback Taylor Bennett will enroll in graduate school at Louisiana Tech this summer and play football for the Bulldogs in the fall, it was announced Monday.

At Louisiana Tech, Bennett will play for Derek Dooley, the son of former longtime Georgia coach Vince Dooley. Georgia is Georgia Tech's biggest rival.

"I wanted to play football for coach Dooley," Bennett said. "He wants to win. If I can come down (to Tech) and work hard and prove myself this summer and fall, then we will see where it leads."

The NCAA granted Bennett a waiver, meaning he will be eligible to play at Louisiana Tech next season. The NCAA made the favorable ruling because Georgia Tech does not offer the master's program that Bennett will enroll in at Louisiana Tech.

"I considered a lot of schools," Bennett said. "I was looking for a master's program. What I found is that Louisiana Tech offered a master's in business with a focus in network and information security. It's a program that only eight schools in the country offer."

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson agreed to release Bennett to any school not in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Bennett passed for 2,136 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions as a junior last season. He had a 49.5 completion percentage.

At Louisiana Tech, Bennett will be playing in a more pass-oriented offense. He will battle fellow senior Zac Champion for the starting job. Champion threw for 2,221 yards last year with 13 TDs and 10 interceptions.

"Taylor is a fine young man with outstanding character and leadership qualities," Dooley said. "I'm sure that the leaders on our team will welcome him with open arms."

Louisiana Tech, which competes in the Western Athletic Conference, is coming off a 5-7 season.