Jamie Newman opted out of the 2020 season, what does that mean at quarterback for Georgia football?
Jamie Newman was talked about as the starter for Georgia football in 2020 for months after transferring from Wake Forest as a graduate. His surprise announcement that he was opting out of the 2020 season has left the Bulldogs in a precarious position.
With Newman out who will the Bulldogs look to take snaps as a starter? Will it be J.T. Daniels, the former 5-Star USC transfer? Could it be someone without starting experience, such as D’Wan Mathis or Carson Beck?
Automatically most would say that Daniels is the front-runner to inherit the job. However, in the words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend.”
Daniels and Mathis were battling for the backup job behind Newman. Mathis can not be counted out. After sitting out all of 2019 after having a cyst removed from his brain, he is chomping at the bit to get into the action.
Daniels does have experience in an offense similar to the one Todd Monken likes to run. He has also been calling his own plays from the line of scrimmage since before high school. So this definitely gives him an advantage over Mathis. That said, you still can’t count out the former four-star. Mathis has been sidelined for too long and he will not let this opportunity elude him.
When it comes to overall talent Mathis may have the advantage. He has a cannon for an arm that he combines with track speed feet. Mathis would add quite an explosive element to Monken’s offense there is no doubt about that. The kid is special, but his ability to read defenses and his accuracy are still question marks.
The locker room absolutely loves Mathis and the guys would most certainly rally around him. That’s not to say that they wouldn’t do the same for Daniels though. Either way Kirby Smart decides to go with this one he’s going to have a solid quarterback leading his offense. Smart has once again shown what a genius he is at roster management.
Beyond the competition, there’s also the question of Daniels’ health, as the former USC standout who is recovering from a torn ACL, has not yet been cleared for full contact by Kirby Smart. If the UGA coaching staff doesn’t feel he’s ready to take on SEC defenses, the point will be moot.
Whichever quarterback Smart chooses will have one of the best running back rooms in the nation behind them, a solid offensive line in front of them, the best wide receiver in college football, George Pickens, to target, and the best defense in the nation to make their job a little easier.