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Ex-Florida QB Jeff Driskel named starter at Louisiana Tech

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

After an up-and-down career at Florida, Jeff Driskel, now at Louisiana Tech, will get the chance to finish out his college career as a starter.

Tech head coach Skip Holtz told The News-Star that Driskel, a fifth-year senior, will enter the season as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback.

Driskel and redshirt junior Ryan Higgins shared reps with the first-team throughout spring practice and Holtz opted not to name a starter after the team’s spring game in April. But after further evaluating their performances from spring practice, the coaching staff decided on Driskel.

“After spring practice we went through all the numbers and we met with all the players and all the quarterbacks on where they ranked and where they were,” Holtz said. “Just looking at the numbers from the whole body of work through spring practice, I felt Jeff Driskel gave us the best opportunity as a quarterback. That’s when we looked at him and said he’ll be the starter.”

Holtz also chose Driskel to represent the team at Conference USA Media Day on Wednesday.

From The News-Star:

Holtz, who had running back Kenneth Dixon represent the offense for media last year, said he decided to take Driskel because he “earned the players’ respect” and “earned this opportunity to come in here and talk a little bit about what he sees about the program.”

“He doesn’t have a biased view and he can talk about the commitment and the work ethic and those types of things as he’s come in and the things that have impressed him about the program,” Holtz said.

Driskel was rated No. 32 nationally as a recruit coming out of the 2011 class and led the Gators to 11 wins and a Sugar Bowl appearance in 2012. Driskel missed most of the 2013 season (and was granted a medical redshirt) after breaking his leg in Week 3, and came back in 2014 as the team’s starter. However, Driskel struggled last season and was replaced by true freshman Treon Harris.

New Florida head coach Jim McElwain granted Driskel’s release from the program in January and he quickly made the decision to transfer to Louisiana Tech.

Overall in his career at Florida, Driskel threw for 3,411 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also added 644 yards and nine touchdowns rushing.

Tech went 9-5 in 2014 and beat Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

For more Louisiana Tech news, visit BleedTechBlue.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!