STATESBORO — Only a year ago, Ezayi Youyoute battled for Georgia Southern’s starting quarterback job and won.
But four games into the 2012 season, he lost his job and now finds himself in a new battle — trying to contribute to the team as a slotback.
“Quarterback was good, but I’m not at quarterback right now so I’m not worried about it,” said Youyoute, after a recent practice.
The junior from Wauchula, Fla., remains optimistic. Slotback may not have been his first option, but it’s the option that presents itself for him now. He’s fighting to get on the Eagles’ two-deep depth chart, fighting to get a chance to use his excellent speed and open-field moves.
“It’s new to me, but a lot of things carry over from quarterback,” Youyoute said. “I think it will benefit the team, and the coaches think that as well. I’m just excited about it.”
Youyoute was the backup to Jaybo Shaw in 2011 and averaged 11.9 yards a carry while producing 310 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Youyoute gave a tantalizing glimpse of the future in the final moments of a loss to Alabama, when he took off scrambling and weaved through the nation’s best collegiate defense for a 37-yard gain.
When the Eagles’ 2012 preseason camp started, Youyoute and Jerick McKinnon were deadlocked until the season-opener against Jacksonville University.
Both trotted out to start the game — McKinnon at slotback, Youyoute under center.
Youyoute torched the Dolphins for 164 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries. Southern led 41-0 at halftime en route to a 58-0 victory.
Hidden in the lopsided win, however, were two Youyoute fumbles. He had three more fumbles in a stunning loss to The Citadel and another two fumbles as the Eagles nipped Elon.
Next up was Samford. And when the Eagles, after an opening drive for a score, went three consecutive possessions without a first down, Youyoute was replaced by McKinnon in a move with shades of Wally Pipp and Lou Gehrig.
McKinnon never relinquished the position, finishing 2012 with 1,817 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.
No one doubts he’ll be the Eagles’ starter in 2013.
That led to Youyoute’s move.
GSU coach Jeff Monken said Youyoute was too talented to be standing on the sidelines.
“I think he has a good handle on it,” Monken said. “I think he wants to play and he’s ready to get back on the field.”
QB logjam
In the spring, freshmen Kevin Ellison and Vegas Harley received valuable snaps at quarterback. Highly regarded true freshman Alfred “LA” Ramsby, an all-state performer out of Cincinnati, joined the competition along with Florida International transfer red-shirt freshman Favian Upshaw.
Monken expects to get a backup for McKinnon from that foursome.
“Some of the young guys we have are showing us they’ll be the quarterbacks of the future,” he said. “We think Izzy is a good player and for him to just sit and watch wouldn’t be wise on our part.”
So the staff thought about moving Youyoute to defensive back, where he played in high school. Then wide receiver. Then slotback.
“He’s athletic enough and he catches the ball,” Monken said. “It’s not an easy position.”
Youyoute should get a chance to make a difference. Nine-game starter Darreion Robinson finished his eligibility, and Robert Brown will be medically ineligible.
And McKinnon is no longer in the slotback mix.
“Overall, what the coaches want out of you is high intensity,” Youyoute said. “It’s the same for any position for that matter.”
Notes
Georgia Southern conducted its first practice in full pads Monday morning. The Eagles went about two hours.
“There was a lot of learning, but I think we got a lot of work in,” Monken said.
Southern will hold two practices today — in the morning at 9:15 before coming back in the afternoon at 4:45. The Eagles will have Wednesday off, then return for two more practices on Thursday. ...
Senior reserve defensive lineman Terico Agnew will not return to the team. Agnew had four tackles last season, 1 1/2 for sacks. ...
McKinnon did not practice Monday because of illness.