The race for the 2020 SEC football conference title just got a little bit more interesting, as Georgia quarterback and presumed starter Jamie Newman announced that he will opt out of the 2020 season to focus on the 2021 NFL Draft.
🙏🏽. #GODSPLAN pic.twitter.com/1LMOi1lydF
— Jamie Newman (@jlmn12_) September 2, 2020
Newman joined the Bulldogs as a graduate transfer from Wake Forest, where he was one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC in 2019, tossing 26 touchdowns to 11 interceptions with 2,868 yards.
His departure likely leaves redshirt sophomore J.T. Daniels as the presumed starter. Daniels is a former five-star recruit who started as a true freshman at USC in 2018, throwing for 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He entered the 2019 season as the Trojans’ starter, but he tore his ACL in the season-opener, and after a solid season from his replacement Kedon Slovis, he elected to transfer to the SEC.
Behind Daniels are Carson Beck, a four-star true freshman from Jacksonville who chose UGA over UF, as well as redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis and redshirt junior Stetson Bennett.
Despite losing its starting quarterback, running back, multiple offensive linemen and several defensive starters, many pundits liked the Bulldogs to beat the Gators and win the SEC East for the fourth-straight season.
But with Newman gone, the division race feels wide open again, and Georgia’s season likely rests on a young quarterback coming off a knee injury.
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