Georgia fans have been heavily anticipating the Wake Forest graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman since he announced he would be playing for UGA in the 2020 season. Newman announced Wednesday that he will instead be opting out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns and will now prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.
This news was not expected, with the Bulldog’s season kickoff in Fayetteville, Arkansas just over three weeks away.
Now, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Todd Monken will have to scramble to have their next man up ready to go come September 26.
Here is a look at Georgia’s quarterback depth chart following the news of Newman opting out.
JT Daniels – RS Sophomore
The Bulldogs redshirt sophomore quarterback JT Daniels comes to UGA after spending the first two seasons of his career at USC. Daniels, the 5-star QB recruit, transferred from the Trojans following an ACL injury he suffered during the 2019 season opener. Daniels is still rehabbing the injury and isn’t fully cleared to play as of late Aug. 2020.
Daniels has an opportunity this season in Athens with the departure of Buffalo Bills quarterback Jake Fromm. He will likely compete with D’Wan Mathis and Carson Beck for the starting job when he is cleared. The NCAA granted him immediate illegibility on his transfer.
In three seasons at the Mater Dei High School, Daniels averaged more than 50 touchdown passes and 4,000 passing yards per season. Daniels was rated as the No. 3 quarterback in his recruiting class behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.
D’Wan Mathis – RS Freshman
Mathis came to UGA as the No. 11 quarterback in the 2019 class, flipping from his original commitment to Ohio State. Mathis was shocked when he found out he needed emergency brain surgery to remove a cyst on his brain last May.
The surgery took football out of the equation for Mathis in 2019, and it was possible he would never play again. Just a year after his surgery, Mathis has been medically cleared for all football activities.
The 6-foot-6, 205 pounder has a very strong arm and shows great confidence, especially in the pocket. He steps up in the pocket with ease and moves very well while looking downfield. Mathis also has the speed and agility to spread the field and add another threat with his legs to opposing defenses.
Carson Beck – Freshman
Freshman quarterback Carson Beck enrolled early this year at UGA. Beck was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020. Additionally, before coming to Athens, Beck competed at the 2019 Elite 11 camp.
The Jacksonville, Florida native stands at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and is a complete pro-style quarterback. Beck has all the physical tools to be successful in the SEC. He has a powerful throwing arm, throwing his deep balls with a high arch, allowing his receivers to catch up to it. Beck can also straighten his passes out to get to the ball to his receivers quickly when he needs to.
He shows a lot of confidence for a freshman and could seriously make a run as Georgia’s starter under center this season.
Stetson Bennett – Junior
Stetson Bennett came to Georgia in 2017 as a backup QB, eventually leaving for junior college in 2018. That year at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, Bennett lit it up, eventually deciding to return to Athens in 2019.
Bennett played a pivotal role for the Bulldogs in the 2017-18 season. While preparing for Oklahoma in the 2018 Rose Bowl, Bennett played the role of former Sooners QB Baker Mayfield, trying to get the Dawgs defense ready for the Heisman Trophy winner.
“Stetson Bennett is a beast, man. Stetson Bennett … Stetson Bennett puts a lot of pressure on our defense.” said former Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.
Bennett showed glimpses of greatness during Georgia’s spring game in 2019 and will be a very solid backup in 2020. He went 20 of 27 on his pass attempts last season and had a pair of touchdowns.
