JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For a player who set school and
conference records for total offense, finished second in the
Heisman Trophy and provided a thrill a minute for high-powered
Georgia Tech, Joe Hamilton found himself on the defensive about his
future.
Joe Hamilton has led Georgia Tech to its third straight bowl game.
Where does he go from here?
By NFL standards for quarterbacks, the 5-foot-10 Hamilton is
about as small as his hometown of Alvin, S.C.. which isn't even on
the state map.
Sure, his arm his strong and he can dart around the pocket like
a cat. True, he has led the 17th-ranked Yellow Jackets to seven
comeback victories.
But is he big enough for the only position he has ever played?
As Hamilton walked away at the end of a lengthy interview with
reporters, someone asked him how tall he was. Hamilton looked over
his shoulder and smiled.
"I'm 6-2," he said.
In the eyes of Georgia Tech, he's even bigger than that.
Hamilton will lead the Yellow Jackets in the Gator Bowl on New
Year's Day against No. 23 Miami, the final game in a career in
which he has amassed over 10,000 yards and brought life to a
dormant program.
The Jackets were 1-10 just two years before Hamilton arrived.
They are going to their third straight bowl game, the first time
that has happened in 27 years.
"I don't think we'll see another like him for a long time in
the state of Georgia," said coach George O'Leary. "He's made so
many great plays, had so many great games."
And Hamilton isn't done yet.
A year ago in the Gator Bowl, he shared MVP honors with receiver
Dez White after throwing for three touchdowns and catching another
in a 35-28 victory over Notre Dame.
What does this game hold in store?
"We'll see," Hamilton said, the corner of his lips curling up
in a sneaky grin. "I've got something I'm going to pull out of my
hat."
Don't bet against it.
Three times this year, the Yellow Jackets (8-3) trailed in the
fourth quarter until Hamilton found a way to pull out a victory
with his legs or his arm, usually a little of both. Even the losses
were breathtaking. Hamilton completed his last 15 passes and
finished 22-of-25 for 387 yards as Georgia Tech fell just short,
45-38, at No. 1 Florida State.
That loss is one reason the Yellow Jackets are making a return
to the Gator Bowl, not exactly Hamilton's choice at the start of a
year that he rates a 7{.
With a defense that gave up at least 40 points in four games
this year _ two of them victories _ the Yellow Jackets didn't have
much of a chance to win the ACC or even get an at-large bid in the
Bowl Championship Series.
"Then again, it wasn't a disappointing season with all the
injuries we've had, a young defense and people learning on the
move," he said. "It's been a fun season."
The best Georgia Tech can hope for is a victory over Miami
(8-4), which won its last three games by scoring an average of 50
points and is playing a New Year's Day bowl game for the first time
since 1985.
The Hurricanes have an idea what to expect from Hamilton, having
faced the versatile Michael Vick in a 43-10 loss to No. 2 Virginia
Tech.
"Their ability, their speed, their instinct is all pretty much
the same," said Miami linebacker Nate Webster. "We recognize how
valuable Michael Vick was to Virginia Tech, and know that Hamilton
is of similar value to Georgia Tech.
"If we can contain Hamilton, we should come out successful."
Hamilton's final college game will be the Senior Bowl. After
that is anyone's guess. He has not been invited to the NFL combine
and isn't really sure if any team will consider him at quarterback.
"If I get that chance and can't do it," Hamilton said, his
voice trailing off. "But if I don't get a chance and they say I
can't do it because of my height, then I'm going to be
disappointed."
The only thing that matters now is ending his career on a
positive note. Chances are it will be a thriller, and Hamilton will
come up big. "He's going to be sorely missed," O'Leary said. "I just hope
he has a chance to go out a winner."
