Jeff Driskel (6) is headed to La. Tech. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Former Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel has decided to play his final season for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Driskel confirmed Monday that he is departing the Florida program after four seasons. He plans to enroll at Louisiana Tech in March.
“There have been rumors going around that I am going to leave the University of Florida and transfer to Louisiana Tech University for my fifth and final year of eligibility,” Driskel said in a statement. “This is indeed true, and I look forward to the upcoming chapter of my life.
“I have nothing but good things to say about the University of Florida and the football program there. I am grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me over the course of the past four years. 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.”
New Gators coach Jim McElwain said Saturday before the Birmingham Bowl that Driskel had asked for and received a release from his scholarship.
Driskel, who lost the starting job to Treon Harris, came off the bench to lead Florida to a 28-20 victory over East Carolina in the bowl game. He completed 8 of 17 passes for 48 yards in his last game.
Driskel threw for 1,140 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in seven games this season. In 29 career games at Florida, Driskel threw for 3,411 yards, 23 touchdowns, 20 interceptions and completed 59.4 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 644 yards and nine touchdowns.
Driskel graduated over the summer, making him free to play right away. He joins a Louisiana Tech team coached by Skip Holtz that finished 2014 with a 9-5 record. The Bulldogs defeated Illinois 35-18 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
