Jeff Driskel Transferring to Louisiana Tech: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Former Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel has found his new home for 2015.

GatorZone.com's Scott Carter provided a statement from Driskel announcing his transfer to Louisiana Tech Monday morning:

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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. 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.

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247Sports' JC Shurburtt first reported the junior's plans on Sunday:

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Former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel, the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2011 recruiting cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings, has informed other potential schools that he intends to transfer to Louisiana Tech, sources confirmed on Sunday.

The Bulldogs have been considered the likely team of choice for the former five-star for the past 24 hours.

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The move doesn't come as a surprise. ESPN.com's Greg Ostendorf reported Saturday that Florida released Driskel from his scholarship. FightinGators.com's Bob Redman added shortly after that the Bulldogs were in pole position for Driskel's services.

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

Since Driskel has already graduated from Florida, he can transfer schools without restriction and have one more year of eligibility, much like Russell Wilson did in 2011 and Greg Paulus in 2009, among others.

Louisiana Tech will have an opening at quarterback in 2015 following the graduation of senior Cody Sokol. Driskel shouldn't have to worry about much of a quarterback competition leading up to the first game of the year.

Given his struggles at Florida, there are still questions as to how much Driskel's addition will help the team. However, Sean Isabella of The News-Star in Monroe, Louisiana, argued that head coach Skip Holtz has had success with transfers in the past and that Driskel gives the Bulldogs a great chance to win immediately next year:

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Driskel is essentially damaged goods, but Holtz has proved in the past he can turn transfers into impact players. Aside from Sokol, UL Lafayette transfer offensive lineman Joseph Brunson, Illinois transfer defensive end Houston Bates and LSU transfer wide receiver Paul Turner all played key roles in the Bulldogs' 2014 season.

Holtz is in win-now mode, and the 2015 roster backs that up. Although the Bulldogs lose 10 starters, the defense should be strong again, and the offense features running back Kenneth Dixon and an improving wide receiver corps. The missing link is a quarterback.

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Sokol leaves big shoes to fill after throwing for 3,436 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2014 and helping Louisiana Tech beat Illinois in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl.