ZACH QUINNEY LEAVING FOR JOB OPPORTUNITY

Two incoming grad transfers will help Tech fill the void.

A three-year starter and a captain for the 2020 team, Georgia Tech offensive tackle Zach Quinney has decided to move forward from football. He was planning to return for his fourth season until he received a job opportunity that he decided to accept, Quinney told the AJC on Monday.

Quinney was initially enrolled this semester, after having graduated in December with a degree in business administration, but he withdrew to begin his business career, calling it a “very difficult decision” in a text message.

Quinney started 34 consecutive games over three seasons at left or right tackle while playing the maximum 35 games. He maintained his starting position through a coaching transition and change in offensive schemes, gaining mass and improving as a pass blocker. His effort and leadership were recognized in his being named one of the team’s four permanent captains at the end of the 2020 season.

Had he returned and chosen to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the pandemic, he could have played two more seasons for the Yellow Jackets.

Without Quinney, the additions of grad-transfer tackles Devin Cochran and Kenneth Kirby stand even more significantly. Jordan Williams returns after starting nine games as a freshman at right tackle. Cochran started 32 games at Vanderbilt. He has enrolled at Tech and can take part in spring practice, which is expected to start today after being delayed last week due to positive COVID-19 tests within the team. Kirby will transfer after graduation this May from Norfolk State, where he started 34 games and twice earned ALL-MEAC honors.

Tech practices resume

Georgia Tech plans to start spring practice today, a week after it was delayed due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests. The 15 practice sessions will be conducted under modified COVID-19 guidelines following the delay. Where the practices were previously scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, coach Geoff Collins has planned to be more flexible in scheduling which days the team will practice. Media access has also been restricted as a precautionary measure.

The spring game remains scheduled for April 23 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

It is possible that the Yellow Jackets could continue practicing after the spring game if the team has not reached its 15-practice limit by that point.

DANNY KARNIK/GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS Georgia Tech offensive tackle Zach Quinney played in 34 straight games over three seasons for the Yellow Jackets, and was honored by being named one of the four permanent team captains after the 2020 season.