Former Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates will continue his playing career at Sam Houston State. Yates, who started six games last season as a backup to Jeff Sims and put his name in the transfer portal shortly after the 2021 season, made the announcement Monday.

Yates previously announced scholarship offers from Jacksonville State, Towson, Massachusetts, Alabama State and East Tennessee State, which all are at the FCS level except for UMass. Sam Houston State is transitioning to the FBS level and Conference USA, though.

Yates will join a team that has dominated the FCS level. The Bearkats won the national championship in the spring of 2021 (the FCS fall 2020 season was delayed) and then reached the FCS quarterfinals in the fall, completing the season at 11-1.

He has a connection with Sam Houston State’s new offensive coordinator, John Perry. Yates’ uncle, Falcons wide receivers coach T.J. Yates, worked with Perry 2019-20 on the Houston Texans coaching staff.

A Milton High graduate, Yates played for the Yellow Jackets for three seasons, appearing in 14 games and showing ability as a daring playmaker. Perhaps his most memorable performance was against Clemson in September, when he completed 20 of 34 passes for 203 yards and nearly led the Jackets to an upset of the Tigers, then ranked sixth.

Yates, who is on track to graduate from Tech with a business degree, has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

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