Tag: jamie newman uga

Jamie Newman goes undrafted

Former Georgia Bulldogs and Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman has gone undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft

Former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jamie Newman has gone undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft. Newman transferred to the University of Georgia from Wake Forest following the 2019 college football season.

Newman came to Georgia and practiced, but he opted out of the 2020 college football season due to COVID-19 concerns and to prepare for the 2021 NFL draft. Newman’s decision left Georgia without an established starting quarterback.

The Dawgs opened the season with D’Wan Mathis as the starting quarterback. Georgia quickly turned to Stetson Bennett, and then started JT Daniels when he became healthy.

Now, Newman will try to find a home as an undrafted free agent. He will get to pick his destination, which will be beneficial, but this is not what Newman envisioned when he opted out to prepare for the NFL draft.

Newman participated in the 2021 Senior Bowl, but he was not particularly impressive in the NFL scouting event. Newman will have to try to improve his game and faces a difficult path to playing time in the always competitive NFL.

Since Newman went undrafted, many folks will further question his decision to opt-out. Newman was not a finished product at Wake Forest and it is apparent that NFL scouts did not like what they saw in his 2019 tape.

Georgia fans should wish the best for Newman. He came into an unfortunate set of circumstances that he could not have anticipated. After all, he did not know there would be a global pandemic when he decided to transfer to Georgia.

Newman is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:

Sept. 6, 2019; Houston, TX; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Jamie Newman (12) throws a touchdown pass against the Rice Owls in the first quarter at Rice Stadium.  Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

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David Pollack analyses UGA football’s quarterbacks. ‘It’s 100 percent a competition’

Georgia’s quarterback battle is heating up with just a couple of weeks left until kickoff. Former Bulldog David Pollack gives his take here.

For most of the offseason we expected Wake Forest transfer quarterback Jamie Newman to be the next star signal caller for the Bulldogs, but when he decided to opt-out of the 2020 college football season, he started an intense quarterback battle with just a few weeks before kickoff.

Former Georgia legend and college football analyst David Pollack recently spoke about the Bulldogs’ future at quarterback on his podcast with co-host  Kirk Herbstreit.

“There’s a competition. There is a legit, 100 percent (competition). “If you want to talk about one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country, D’Wan Mathis does not get past two or three in the country. You watch that guy throw, he can throw it through a carwash and not get it wet. It is insane,” Pollack continues. “He’s got so much arm talent. He can sling the mess out of it. He’s a 4.4 type athlete. He’s a freak athlete. You watch him, he’s not polished yet. And he’s not buttoned up and not smooth.

D’Wan Mathis is a redshirt freshman from Belleville, Michigan who was rated as the No. 11 pro style quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class.

In 2019, Mathis was competing as the Bulldogs’ practice squad quarterback when doctors found a cyst on his brain. He missed the next year in recovery, but has been able to make it back on to the field as he was fully cleared to participate this summer.

Mathis is competing with redshirt sophomore J.T. Daniels, a transfer from USC, who missed last season for the Trojans with a knee injury, but served as starting quarterback in 2018 where he threw for 2,672 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

“I think JT Daniels does a great job with timing and getting a ball out and throwing in rhythm, It’s a legit competition. The only thing Daniels, I can say, has a leg up on is experience.”

While Daniels is still not cleared for gameday, he has been practicing and the UGA coaching staff believes he will be cleared before kickoff on Sept. 26.

Jamie Newman explains why he’s opting out of the 2020 CFB season

Georgia football QB Jamie Newman releases statement explaining why he has decided to opt out of the 2020 CFB season.

Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman, who transferred to UGA from Wake Forest as a graduate senior this offseason, has opted out of the 2020 college football season.

Newman released a statement via Twitter just minutes after the news was spilled that he would be opting out.

“… due to the uncertainities of this year amid a global pandemic I will officially opt-out of this football season to prepare for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.” Newman said in his statement.

This was not the news that Georgia fans were expecting or hoped for.  The highly anticipated Jamie Newman era of UGA football has ended before it has even begun.

Georgia football loses experience, play-making ability with quarterback Jamie Newman’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 CFB season

UGA quarterback Jamie Newman has decided to opt-out of the 2020 CFB season. How does Georgia replace his experience? Analysis here.

Just when things may be looking normal soon with the 2020 SEC football season just weeks away, Georgia suffers a huge blow to their offense, which was already facing a rebuild of sorts.

Bulldogs quarterback Jamie Newman decides to opt-out of the 2020 college football season.

Now, not only will Georgia be unveiling a different scheme under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken while working to replace four starters on the offensive line, but coach Smart and staff will also have to groom a new signal caller out of an inexperienced quarterback room.

I certainly don’t blame Newman for making a decision that he feels will be best for him in the long run.

The NCAA has granted athletes the option to opt-out, remain on scholarship and return for another year – extending eligibility for kids who feel  playing with the risks involved amid the Covid-19 pandemic outweigh the few reasons to play.

Newman has been projected to be drafted as high as the first-round of next year’s draft.

He trails only Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields as the highest-graded returning quarterback in college football, according to Pro Football Focus.

Newman was also named as the No. 1 quarterback in touchdown’s versus the blitz by PFF.

In 2019, at Wake Forest, Newman threw for 2,686 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while adding 574 yards on the ground with six rushing touchdowns.

Besides Newman’s play-making ability, experience is what the Bulldogs are losing – perhaps now the most glaring hole in Georgia’s 2020 offense.

USC transfer quarterback J.T. Daniels does have 2,672 yards and year under his belt at USC, but he will have to learn to make plays in high-pressure SEC games while proving himself to the Georgia lockeroom. And he still isn’t technically cleared to play yet – although he has practiced.

Redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis is coming off of brain surgery in 2019, but has returned to football activities. Former Georgia star quarterback Aaron Murray recently said Mathis was extremely impressive when he saw him at a practice in 2018.

The Bulldogs quarterback competition will now be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, especially with such big time games early in Georgia’s SEC-only schedule.

After going to Arkansas and facing Tennessee in Athens, Georgia will face Kentucky, Auburn, Alabama and Florida in consecutive games. An incredibly tough stretch for any team – especially one with an inexperienced signal caller.

UGA QB depth chart following Jamie Newman opt out

Georgia football’s QB depth chart following the news of Jamie Newman opting out of the 2020 CFB season.

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.

Twitter reacts to Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 CFB season

Here is how UGA Twitter reacted to the recent news of Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 CFB season.

Wow, that stings. Georgia’s new heralded gunslinger Jamie Newman has decided to opt-out of the 2020 college football season and will be preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Can’t say I don’t blame him for doing so, but that doesn’t make it any easier to swollow.

We were excited to say the least when Newman chose to finish his collegiate career at Georgia. And all we’ve heard this summer is about how Newman was one of the top returning quarterbacks in college football, so losing him just weeks before the opening is disheartening.

Here is how UGA Twitter reacted to the recent news:

Report: Georgia QB Jamie Newman will not play college football in 2020

Per reports, UGA football QB Jamie Newman will not play for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2020.

Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman, who transferred to UGA from Wake Forest this offseason, has opted out of the 2020 college football season, according to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.

Newman was projected to be Georgia’s starter for the 2020 football season and was already considered a potential Heisman candidate.

Newman will be skipping the 2020 season to train for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Last season, Newman threw for 2,868 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also added 570 yards and six touchdowns on 180 carries.

Where Georgia goes next will be interesting to see. Next in line appear to be USC transfer JT Daniels and former highly ranked recruit D’Wan Mathis. However, both of them are coming back from medical issues and we’ll have to see how they’ve progressed.

Report: Georgia QB D’Wan Mathis cleared for return to football

Georgia QB D’Wan Mathis has been officially cleared to return to football activities for the 2020 season, following emergency brain surgery.

It was a scary time last year for Georgia quarterback D’Wan Mathis.  He came into 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.

This news took football out of the equation for Mathis in the 2019 season, and it was possible that he would never play again.

Now, just a year after his surgery, Mathis has been medically cleared for all football activities, reported first by Mike Griffith of DawgNation.

This is incredible for Mathis and his family, and will only add to the recent good news pertaining to Georgia’s quarterback depth chart.

The Dawgs have Wake Forest graduate transfer and Heisman hopeful Jamie Newman as well as 5-star USC transfer JT Daniels both coming to Athens for the 2020 season.  The addition of Mathis just adds to the fun for the 2020 season, as we could now potentially see an intense battle for the starting spot at quarterback. There’s also 4-star true freshman early-enrollee Carson Beck.

Football talk aside, we are extremely grateful and happy to hear the good news of Mathis retuning to good health.

Don’t overlook UGA football’s academic accomplishments

The Georgia Bulldogs football team had a great 2019 season, but that shouldn’t be overshadowed by the group’s accomplishments off the field.

The Georgia Bulldogs football team had a great 2019 season, but that shouldn’t be overshadowed by the group’s accomplishments off the field.

Earlier in May, the 2019-2020 academic year came to a close and numerous football student-athletes graduated from the University of Georgia:

It was an unusual year for students, especially seniors, who had to finish their academic careers with virtual classes. Fortunately, graduation is scheduled for numerous graduates of the spring class of 2020 for Friday, October 16th at 6:30. The ceremony will be held between the hedges at Sanford Stadium.

The Georgia Bulldog football team plays at Missouri the next day. Just because players don’t finish their degree during their playing days doesn’t mean that they can’t finish the drill later on in their life:

Georgia football and Kirby Smart have landed a key graduate transfer in quarterback Jamie Newman. Newman is eligible immediately thanks to his graduation for Wake Forest.

The student-athlete debate will roar on with the NCAA, but there’s definitely value in getting a degree from college. The majority of Georgia football players don’t have lengthy careers in the NFL.

In fact, Georgia football combine for their highest average GPA ever: a 3.02 GPA this spring semester.

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Two Georgia football players go in first round of 2021 NFL mock draft

Two Georgia Bulldogs are projected to be first round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft., which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio.

Two Georgia Bulldogs are projected to be first round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 2021 NFL Draft will be held in Cleveland, Ohio. A lot will change before then, but Walter Football projects that a pair of Bulldogs will go in the first round: safety Richard LeCounte and quarterback Jamie Newman.

This fall will mark the final season of eligibility for LeCounte and Newman, so expect for both of them (barring redshirt, etc.) to enter into the 2021 NFL Draft.

Richard LeCounte is projected as the 11th overall pick.

Nov 16, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) celebrates after the Auburn Tigers failed to covert a fourth down late in the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium.Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest transfer quarterback Jamie Newman is projected as the 23rd overall pick.

Nov 16, 2019; Clemson, SC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Jamie Newman looks to pass the ball against the Clemson Tigers. Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Do you anticipate more Dawgs will be selected in the first round of 2020? Ben Cleveland, Monty Rice and Malik Herring headline UGA’s talented seniors who aren’t mentioned above.

Additionally, Jordan Davis, Jamaree Salyer, Trey Hill, Eric Stokes, James Cook, and Tyson Campbell are among  Georgia’s most likely juniors to declare for the NFL Draft early. Redshirt sophomores can also declare for the Draft as underclassmen.

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