In 2013, Vad Lee was the Jackets’ starting quarterback, Justin Thomas rode the bench, Zach Laskey shredded defenders and Jeremiah Attaochu notched an impressive 12.5-sack season.
Meanwhile, in Macon, Ga., Mercer University went about rekindling a football team that had been dormant for over a century.
Three years later, the two meet for the first time, and much has changed. Thomas is no longer the studious apprentice; he is the face of the Tech offense and striving to make the most of his final season. Laskey and Attaochu have carved out roles in the NFL, Lee in the Canadian Football League.