Jessie Tuggle’s son vying for Boston College QB job

A starting quarterback job just came open in the ACC, and the son of “The Hammer” might be ready to claim it.

Justin Tuggle, the Northview grad whose father is Falcons legend Jessie Tuggle, is one of two candidates to lead the Boston College offense in 2009.

The school announced Tuesday that starter Dominique Davis is transferring after being suspended from school for academic reasons.

“It took everyone by shock,” Tuggle said in a phone interview from the Chestnut Hill campus, where he is taking summer classes and working out. “I already viewed [this season] as a big opportunity. Now it just blew up even bigger.”

The redshirt freshman will battle junior Codi Beok for the starting job. Beok is listed ahead of Tuggle on the depth chart, but Beok hasn’t taken a snap at quarterback since transferring to B.C. from junior college.

Tuggle, who played scout team quarterback last fall, noted N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson earned first-team All-ACC honors as a redshirt freshman last year.

“So it’s definitely possible,” Tuggle said. “You’ve got to put in the work to do it. I’ll be up here every day.”

Neither Tuggle nor Boek was outstanding in spring drills, according to the Boston Globe, but Tuggle called his first spring practice a valuable learning tool.

“I think I performed well except for some rookie mistakes,” Tuggle said. “I picked up a lot and learned the new offense [under new head coach Frank Spaziani.]”

The 6-3 Tuggle has bulked up from 208 to 223 pounds since arriving in Chestnut Hill. A dual threat, Tuggle passed for 12 touchdowns and ran for six more as a senior at Northview in Alpharetta.

When Jessie Tuggle heard Davis was transferring, the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker told his son, “It’s unfortunate what happened, but the opportunity is here now and you’ve got to make the most of it.”

Justin Tuggle said he’s never forgotten his dad’s best advice: “Don’t let anyone ever tell you you can’t do something.”

Despite being undersized at 5-11, 220 pounds, Jessie Tuggle went from Valdosta State to the Falcons’ Ring of Honor. He made more than 100 tackles 12 straight years. He played for the Falcons his entire career, from 1987-2000.

While Jessie Tuggle became known as “The Hammer,” Justin still lacks a nickname.

“Maybe a couple games into this season they’ll come up with one,” Justin Tuggle said.