Texas quarterback transfers to Tulsa

May 07, 2008 11:15 pm

— TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Quarterback G.J. Kinne, who was fourth on the depth chart at Texas, signed scholarship papers Wednesday to transfer to Tulsa.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Kinne will have to sit out next season and will be a sophomore when he becomes eligible for the 2009 season.
“We’re extremely excited to have a player of G.J.’s caliber. He has been a winner his whole life. For a player of his caliber to transfer to Tulsa speaks volumes about our program and where we’re are at this point,” Tulsa coach Todd Graham said. “He had a lot of big-time scholarship offers out of high school.”
Kinne, who redshirted last season, was behind starter Colt McCoy and sophomores John Chiles and Sherrod Harris in the Longhorns’ quarterback competition. He joins a crowded quarterback situation at Tulsa, which led the nation in total offense last season.
Senior David Johnson is competing with junior college transfer Jacob Bower and redshirt sophomore Clark Harrell — the brother of Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell — for the chance to replace Paul Smith as the Golden Hurricane’s starter this season.
“G.J. has a strong arm and can throw the ball vertically down the field. He’s a big-play guy. He can run and throw it,” Graham said. “His ability to scramble and make plays, a lot in the same regard as what Paul Smith could do for us, is his strength. He’s definitely not just a passer, but he’s a guy who can run too.”
Kinne twice was chosen as The Associated Press’ Class 3A high school Offensive Player of the Year. He passed for 11,695 yards and 130 touchdowns and ran for 3,327 yards and 48 touchdowns for high school teams in two Texas towns, Canton and Gilmer.
His father is former Baylor assistant coach Gary Joe Kinne.