Personal: Completed 160-of-289 passes (57 percent) for 2,305 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, his only year on the football team Also rushed for 292 yards and seven scores Also punted 34 times for 1,237 yards (36.8 avg.) with a long of 68 Named first-team all-region and the Cobb County Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year Earned Atlanta Metro First-Team All-Area honors Ranked the No. 60 player in Georgia by SuperPrep Coached by Bob Swank Also plays basketball and is averaging 18 points, six rebounds and six assists at small forward Son of Carol and John Yates Born May 28, 1987.
Notes: Was a Division I mid-major basketball prospect as a Georgia prep and did not concentrate on football until his senior season, his only as a starter. Drew a scholarship offer from UNC and then-head coach John Bunting and redshirted in 2006. As a true freshman in offensive coordinator John Shoop's system in 2007, started all 12 games and set a school single-season passing record by completing 218-of-365 attempts (59.7 percent) for 2,655 yards with 14 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Started 6-of-7 games played in '08, tossing 81-135-1,168-11-4 (60.0). Fractured his left ankle against Virginia Tech and missed six games. Returned to start all 13 games in '09 when he passed 214-355-2,136-14-15 (60.3). Regained confidence in '10, when he started all 13 games and tossed 282-422-3,418-19-9 (66.8). Finished as the school's all-time leading passer with 9,377 yards. Has a 23-21 career starting record.
Positives: Very good size. Smart, tough and has shown improved poise in the pocket. Comfortable working from under center. Can lob the fade with touch and put some air underneath the ball. Fine short accuracy.
Negatives: Has a rag arm - balls tend to hang up in the air. Limited athletic ability. Inconsistent footwork diminishes accuracy, and it really wanes outside 15 yards. Streaky, plays too hot and cold and confidence issues have shown in his play. Heavy-footed, cannot escape the rush and has been slowed by injuries.
Summary: Regained his confidence and came on strong as a senior but has limited upside to develop and will only fit into a short-to-intermediate, West Coast passing game as a game-managing reserve.
NFL projection: Late draftable pick.
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