Ex-Florida QB Jeff Driskel will transfer to Louisiana Tech for final year

Former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel has told other teams that he will transfer to Louisiana Tech. Having already graduated, Driskel would be able to play immediately.

Former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskelconfirmed Monday that he will transfer to Louisiana Tech. 

It was first reported Sunday that Driskel had picked the Bulldogs.

New Florida coach Jim McElwain said Saturday that Driskel had been granted his release and likely wouldn't return to the team. It had been reported previously that Driskel was potentially interested in transferring to Duke.

Having already graduated, Driskel will be able to play immediately at Louisiana Tech. He has one year of eligibility remaining. The Bulldogs are set to lose starting quarterback Cody Sokol, himself a fifth-year transfer last year, to graduation.

"I am grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me over the course of the past four years," Driskel said in a statement. "Although things did not play out on the field as I would have liked, I have no regrets on the choice I made to attend UF. Again, I appreciate everything that my coaches, teammates, strength coaches, athletic trainers, equipment staff, academic staff, fans, and the University of Florida have done for me.”

Rated the top quarterback recruit in the class of 2011, Driskel led Florida to an 11-2 season in 2012 in his first year as a starter but played in just three games in 2013 due to a leg injury.

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Driskel threw for 1,140 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in nine games this season while completing 53.8 percent of his passes. He lost the starting job to redshirt freshman Treon Harris midway through the year.

Over 28 career games with the Gators, Driskel completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,368 yards and 23 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. He also recorded 642 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.

Florida went 8-5 this season. McElwain is taking over for Will Muschamp, whose firing was announced in November.

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Louisiana Tech went 9-5 this season, losing to Marshall in the Conference USA championship game but defeating Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl to end its season.

- Ben Estes