(This post was originally published on UGA Wire.)
Former five-star recruit and USC transfer quarterback J.T. Daniels has officially been cleared for Georgia, heading into the season’s second game against Auburn.
Daniels suffered an ACL tear on Aug. 31 last year while with the Trojans and has been given the green light by doctors to resume his football career.
JT Daniels "will be cleared" to play this week vs. Auburn, per Kirby Smart.
But he adds that he's not sure how much that will change the equation. Daniels will compete along with the other QBs.
— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) September 28, 2020
As a freshman in 2018, Daniels threw for 2,672 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Georgia lost three-year starting quarterback Jake Fromm to the NFL draft this offseason as well as Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman, who opted out of the 2020 college football season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Todd Monken gave redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis the nod for the opener against Arkansas, but he was benched after poor play for junior Stetson Bennett. Bennett played an incredible game, completing 69 percent of his passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in just three quarters.
Now that Daniels is cleared, there should be a massive quarterback battle for the Bulldogs. Mathis showed glimpses of greatness in his first career collegiate start while Bennett showed great poise and game management, securing the Georgia win.
It will be interesting to see who coach Smart names as the starter for the Dawgs’ home opener against the Auburn Tigers. Smart has made it clear the return of Daniels means the quarterback battle will be even tougher.
Georgia kicks off against Auburn this Saturday between the hedges at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN.