Godsey chases dream of leading Irish offense
By TIM CASEY
Assistant Sports Editor
His father was an offensive guard at Alabama under legendary coach Bear Bryant; his brother Greg played at Air Force and another brother George is currently a quarterback at Georgia Tech. Coming out of high school, he was heavily recruited by Tennessee, Purdue and Ohio State.
But when making his college decision, instead of being swayed by any outside influences, Gary Godsey followed his heart.
"I grew up my whole life dreaming of going to Notre Dame to play football," Godsey said. "When you're getting recruited it's unbelievable because all these schools want you. Tennessee's stadium was unreal; Ohio State's facilities are amazing; but when I came here everything was what I dreamed it to be."
Now, a year after committing to the Irish, Godsey is competing for the most prestigious position in college football: quarterback at Notre Dame.
Not bad for someone who just started playing the position two and a half years ago
It was six games into his junior season at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla., in the fall of 1997, when Godsey switched to quarterback. He had been a starter at tight end, defensive end, center and long snapper at Jesuit. But Godsey had never taken snaps under center.
"He [the coach] thought I had a good arm and good mechanics so he put me back there [at quarterback]," Godsey said. "Everything worked out."
Forgive the humble Godsey for the understatement. He quickly adapted to the new position, leading Jesuit to the league championship as a junior. Then, as a senior, in his first full year as a starter, Godsey passed for over 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing only four interceptions.
Despite his success at quarterback, most schools, including Notre Dame were more interested in Godsey as a tight end or defensive end. Some coaches saw his size (6-foot-7 and 240 pounds) as a hindrance for a future at quarterback. Godsey received interest from passing teams like Tennessee and Purdue but when he chose Notre Dame, he knew the Irish coaching staff viewed him as a tight end.
But when the Irish were spurned on signing day a year ago by C.J. Leak, who decided to attend Wake Forest, there was a void at quarterback. Godsey talked to the coaching staff, asking if he could get a shot at quarterback. He began last season as a fourth string tight end and quarterback but after Eric Chappell was dismissed from the team, only two scholarship quarterbacks remained. Godsey was thrust into the role of third quarterback behind Jarious Jackson and Arnaz Battle.
He may have not seen any playing time but Godsey believes his freshman year was beneficial to his growth as a quarterback.
"Last year was a learning experience," Godsey said. "It helped me out watching Jarious and Arnaz. A lot of being a quarterback is mental and by watching how they handled themselves on and off the field was beneficial."
In the off-season, Godsey and the rest of the Irish worked out with strength coach Mickey Marotti. He lost 15 pounds, trimming down to 240 pounds to get ready for the spring.
"I got quicker and faster for this offense," Godsey said. "It's hard to tell after the first few days but I think I'm doing pretty well."
Godsey also spoke with his brother George, who is expected to start for Georgia Tech next fall. The Godsey brothers are in similar positions, with both of their teams looking for replacement at quarterback following the graduation of Jackson and Georgia Tech's Joe Hamilton.
"We talk a lot now," Godsey said. "At first I didn't have an understanding but now I do. We run pretty similar offenses so it's fun talking with him."
As of now, Godsey and Battle are vying for the starting spot. But come August, four freshman quarterbacks will add some competition to the mix. There is still a good chance that Godsey may be switched again to tight end.
But for the spring, at least, Godsey will be wearing the red jersey assigned to the quarterbacks.
"Coach Davie said I'm going at it [quarterback] 100 percent," Godsey said.
The culmination of Godsey's freshman season comes April 29 when he'll compete in the Blue-Gold game.
In just 2-1/2 years he's gone from never playing the position to possibly being the starting quarterback at Notre Dame.
"This is what I wanted," Godsey said. "It's always been my dream."
All Sports Stories for Thursday, April 6, 2000
