Ga. State receives permission to talk to two Tech football players

Georgia State has received permission from Georgia Tech to speak to football players Joseph Gilbert and Clyde Yandell about possibly transferring.

Gilbert and Yandell are offensive linemen. Gilbert, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound native of Cartersville, started 26 games for the Jackets during the past two seasons. Yandell, a 6-foot-5, 287-pound native of Nease, Fla., saw spot duty the past two seasons.

Gilbert is on pace to graduate with a degree in management this summer. He and Yandell redshirted in 2007 and have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Should they transfer to Georgia State, which plays in Division I-AA, they would be eligible to play in the fall because student-athletes who transfer down a level don't have to sit out a season.

Should Gilbert leave, Tech will start the season without three starters on the offensive line from the 2009 ACC championship team after the graduations of Brad Sellers and Cord Howard.