Johnson unsure who will be Tech’s starting QB

Georgia Tech is considering Plan C at quarterback for its game Saturday against Gardner-Webb. C as in Calvin.

Coach Paul Johnson said that determining the starting quarterback might be a game-time decision between starter Josh Nesbitt, backup Jaybo Shaw and third-stringer Calvin Booker. Nesbitt is recovering from a hamstring strain. Shaw was “dinged” in the head in Saturday’s victory over Duke, Johnson said.

“If we don’t start either of them, Booker’s going to start,” Johnson said.

Both Nesbitt and Shaw practiced Wednesday. Shaw was held out of contact drills. Booker has received a lot of practice time with the first-string offense, Johnson said.

“He’s done good,” Johnson said.

If the Jackets had to pick one game in which their third-string quarterback would have to start, this likely would be it. Gardner-Webb is a Division I-AA team that was added to the schedule when Army backed out of its commitment. The Bulldogs are 2-3.

Booker, a Mays High grad, transferred to Tech in 2006 from Auburn. At 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds, he is bigger and a bit slower than the prototypical quarterback for Johnson’s offense. But he has won Johnson’s admiration for his team-first attitude.

“I’m not necessarily happy with the way it came, because I’ve got two of my friends who are injured,” Booker said. “You never want that to happen. But at the same time, it’s my opportunity to show what I can do.”

Booker has taken snaps in the past two games at the end of Tech’s lopsided victories. He is 1-for-3 passing for 19 yards and has run four times for eight yards.