With JT Daniels nursing a minor oblique injury, Georgia will turn to a former starter to lead the Dawgs on Saturday against UAB.
UGA announced that Stetson Bennett will start at quarterback rather than redshirt freshman Carson Beck, who many expected to get the nod.
Bennett started five games for the Dawgs in 2020. Bennett had some up and down performances. He was a steadying presence in Georgia’s season opener against Arkansas.
Last year, Bennett completed 55% of his passes. Bennett contributed 10 total touchdowns and threw six interceptions. He threw for 1,179 passing yards on the season and looked particularly sharp against the Auburn Tigers.
Bennett arrived in Athens as a lightly recruited three-star prospect. He redshirted in 2017, while playing scout team quarterback. He then transferred to Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi. He helped Jones County win their conference, scoring 20 total touchdowns and accumulating almost 2,000 total yards in the process.
Following his junior college season, Bennett transferred back to the University of Georgia and enrolled for the spring semester of 2019.
JT Daniels is reportedly battling an upper-body injury. If he misses Saturday’s game, expect Carson Beck to get the start. Here’s some info on the redshirt freshman passer.
Georgia quarterback JT Daniels is reportedly dealing with an upper body injury that has escalated his status to “questionable” for Saturday’s home-opener against UAB.
Daniels may end up playing. He played the entire Clemson game with the injury apparently — DawgNation is reporting that Daniels suffered the injury in the preseason during Georgia’s second scrimmage.
Daniels’ status is questionable for this Saturday’s game. He could very well end up starting and playing, as DawgNation’s Mike Griffith reports that Daniels first picked up the injury during Georgia’s second scrimmage.
But it’s UAB. Is it worth the risk?
I don’t think it is and I have a feeling the Georgia coaches would agree. No matter who UGA puts at quarterback, the Dawgs should have no issue winning this game. The smart thing to do would be to sit your superstar quarterback. It’s a long season.
If Daniels is to sit this one out, expect Carson Beck to get the start at quarterback. If you follow recruiting closely you are already familiar with Beck. But for those who are just now learning of the backup quarterback, here’s some information to get you up to speed.
Dec 12, 2020; Georgia QB Carson Beck (15) takes a snap against Missouri: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Carson Beck, Quarterback (No. 15):
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
High School: Mandarin High School
As a recruit:
Beck enrolled early at the University of Georgia. He was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020 out of Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
Beck ranked as the nation’s No. 234 overall player and the No. 5 ranked pro-style passer.
Additionally, before coming to Athens, Beck competed at the prestigious 2019 Elite 11 camp.
Beck picked up a redshirt as a freshman. He played late against the Missouri Tigers in 2020, but did not have a chance to throw a pass. We expect to see him more often this year, even if he does not make the start against UAB.
Played well at G-Day:
Redshirt freshman quarterback Beck got the majority of the reps for the Black team in the spring game. Beck gained valuable experience and played pretty well, finishing the contest with 236 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He went 22 of 31 on his passing attempts.
Excited to see how the 6’7” 265lb sophomore TE performs this season. Could be one of the best in CFB
Imagine being a DB and having to deal with: Jermaine Burton, Kearis Jackson, Darnell Washington, and now Arik Gilbert.
“I’m pleased with his progress. I think he got better,” Smart said following G-Day. “Carson didn’t always have the focus he needed last year as a freshman in terms of preparation, academics, on the field, off the field, in the meeting room.
“Now since we started this spring, he’s taken notes, he’s got command of it better. He’s doing better academically in the classroom. He’s trying to take a step forward and do some good things.”
