ATLANTA � Tevin Washington's summer internship at a law firm helped prepare him for life after football.
The exposure to the business world may also help the sophomore hold off competition from other Georgia Tech quarterbacks, including precocious freshman Vad Lee, to win the starting job in preseason practice.
Washington says he learned at the law firm that jobs are won by those who work the hardest.
Washington is the favorite to succeed Joshua Nesbitt as the starter. When Nesbitt was hurt, Washington started the final four games last season. The Yellow Jackets were only 1-3 with Washington to finish 6-7.
Coach Paul Johnson says Lee has made a strong impression in the first week of practice.
"He's had a good camp," Johnson said. "I think he's playing with a little more confidence. He's healthy. I think he's had a good camp so far. We're excited about what he's done."
The lesson could be useful for Washington, who finished spring drills at the top of the depth chart but is facing new competition in preseason drills.
Johnson said Lee has made a strong impression in the first week of practice.
"Certainly, Vad Lee is intriguing," Johnson said when asked about the competition at quarterback. "He has a presence."
A presence?
"I think the way he just carries himself," Johnson said. "He's a very confident kid. He wants to jump in. He wants to take a million reps. He's actually light years ahead of where I thought he would be.
"Now, is he ready to play tomorrow? No. But I mean if I go back and think about when I first came here and tried to put this stuff in and what it looked like in four days and what he looks like in four days, it's really amazing."
Johnson said Lee still makes freshman mistakes but that he has a lot of potential. He says the freshman "comes in every spare minute and watches tape and studies. He wants to play."
Johnson said redshirt freshman Synjyn Days "has done OK."
Washington said he is more comfortable this season.
"It helped a lot because being in game situations prepare you to know what to expect from a defense, the pace of the game, the speed of the game, and just being able to be in there and know what to expect," he said.
Nesbitt was a productive and powerful runner in Johnson's spread-option attack, but the Yellow Jackets were hurt by turnovers and an ineffective passing game.
Georgia Tech's 20 lost fumbles tied for the nation's lead and the Yellow Jackets completed only 38.1 percent of their passes, easily last among the 120 FBS teams, according to STATS LLC. Every other team completed at least 45 percent of its passes.
Washington completed 25 of 61 passes for 417 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for 514 yards and four touchdowns.
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