After spending two years away from football, he won the starting quarterback job in a contested battle over future University of Oklahoma starter Nate Hybl, among others. He became the Bulldog's first freshman starter in 53 years (John Rauch in 1945), finishing with a 9-3 record. a No. 16 ranking in the final AP Poll and winning the 1998 Peach Bowl. He had a record setting season, establishing school freshman marks for passing yards (2,484), touchdowns (12), attempts (290) and completions (176), while tallying 300 passing yards or more in 4 games. His 2,484 passing yards at the time was the fourth highest total in school history. He was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year and was recognized as one of the top young quarterbacks in the nation.