Tag: JT Daniels

JT Daniels Transfer To Georgia: 3 Quick Thoughts

USC QB JT Daniels will transfer to Georgia. Three quick thoughts on the big move.

USC QB JT Daniels will transfer to Georgia. Three quick thoughts on the big move.

3. Let someone else develop your starting quarterback

USC came up with one of the nation’s best recruiting classes in 2018.

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was a great get, linebacker Palaie Gaoteote was a huge signing, and defensive backs Olajah Griffin and Isaac Taylor-Stuart were massive wins, but JT Daniels was the one.

Out of USC quarterback factory Mater Dei High, he was supposed to be the next superstar passer for the Trojans, with the arm, the savvy, and the upside to go right from his junior year in high school to the starting gig for the Trojans.

And now he’s a Georgia Bulldog.

It’s part of how the recruiting game works – keep bringing in talent. And then bring in more, and then more. But after all of the time and effort put into USC landing Daniels, he came up with one okay year in a losing season – hitting just under 60% of his passes for 2,672 yards and 14 scores with ten picks – and then blew out his knee in the 2019 season opener.

When it comes to signing top quarterback prospects, though, that’s going to limit the options unless you luck out. The idea was that Daniels was going to be the star of the USC show for at least three years, possibly four.

That, along with the murky job status of head coach Clay Helton – didn’t help the cause when it came to trying to woo Cal high school superstar prospect DJ Uiagalelei – he went to Clemson – and attempting to keep dual-threat killer Bryce Young – another Mater Dei product – to his commitment as he took his talents to Alabama.

USC developed Daniels, and now Georgia gets to potentially reap the rewards, either as a good challenger to Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman, or as an option who might have to sit a year before taking over the reigns of a national championship-caliber program in 2021.

As Georgia knows, that’s the cost of doing business now. It lost Justin Fields and Jacob Eason because it had Jake Fromm,

USC 2020 Preview in 60 seconds

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2. It’s not like Daniels is a slam-dunk to be the Georgia starter

Carson Beck is a 6-4, 220-pound bomber out of Jacksonville who was originally gone to Alabama before flipping to Georgia. He’s got next level tools, and so does Dwan Mathis, a 6-4, 200-pounder out of Michigan who can move. Ohio State and Michigan wanted Mathis, and Georgia got him.

Daniels might have been a bigger overall recruit than Beck and Mathis – neither one was considering the prospect that Fromm, Eason or Fields was, either – but there’s enough talent between them to get their shot over the next few seasons.

And then there’s Jamie Newman, a 6-4, 230-pounder with a next-level arm who hit 61% of his throws for almost 3,000 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 picks – and with six rushing scores – for Wake Forest last year.

The NCAA put the kibosh on the one-time transfer exemption, but Daniels is going to push for immediate eligibility anyway. He’s not a grad transfer – which meant he wouldn’t have needed to lose a year to transfer – and he’s just two years out of high school.

Even if he is eligible, Newman might be the better option for this year’s Dawg team, because …

1. How healthy is Daniels?

Here’s where this could really pay off for both Georgia and Daniels.

We all triple-hope that the 2020 college football season goes off without a hitch, but considering the NBA, NHL and MLB still aren’t rolling yet, and there are only about a million pieces to the puzzle that still have to fit for colleges to open up, much less college football, let’s see.

Daniels is still less than a year removed from the knee injury that ended things right out of the gate. He wouldn’t have been a go in spring ball had it gone off, and part of the reason he’s transferring is because he likely wouldn’t have had the shot to beat out Kedon Slovis.

It’s not 100% certain that he’ll be 100% healthy by the time Georgia fall camp rolls around, either.

In a perfect world, Newman is fantastic, Daniels gets a full year to heal up and get ready to roll, and then the offense is his in 2021. But if there isn’t a season, then he gets the time off to get stronger and learn the system, Newman will be off to the NFL, and Georgia has its guy.

Or, everything goes off fine, Daniels is all good come September 7th against Virginia, and Mr. Five-Star becomes everything for Georgia that USC was hoping to get.

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Former Five-Star Notre Dame Rival Finds New Home

JT Daniels was a huge prospect for USC a few short years ago but injuries cost him his starting job and he announced a new home on Thursday.

Former USC quarterback and five-star recruit JT Daniels has a new home and one that won’t see him playing against Notre Dame again anytime soon.

The highly-regarded quarterback made a splash at USC in 2018, throwing for over 2600 yards and 14 touchdown passes his freshman season.  A knee injury last year however sidelined him and opened the door for Kedon Slovis to take over, which he did exceptionally well.

Daniels entered the transfer-portal this off-season and on Thursday, officially announced his next college destination.

If Daniels is ruled eligible for 2020 it means for an interesting quarterback battle for the Bulldogs, who also won the services of transfer Jamie Newman from Wake Forest.

Whether or not Daniels ends up starting in 2020 isn’t the end of the world for him as he has three years of eligibility remaining and seems to give Georgia a long-term answer at quarterback.

For what it’s worth, Daniels threw for 349 yards and one touchdown in his one appearance against Notre Dame, a 24-17 Fighting Irish victory to conclude the 2018 regular season.

Former USC quarterback JT Daniels chooses transfer destination

Former USC quarterback JT Daniels chooses transfer destination.

The sweepstakes for former USC quarterback JT Daniels is finally over, as the former blue-chip prospect announced his transfer destination on Thursday.

Daniels will head to the SEC East, to play for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.

Unless he can get a waiver approved by the NCAA, Daniels will most likely be ineligible for 2020.

Georgia will look to replace the outgoing Jake Fromm this season, and already secured another transfer in Jamie Newman of Wake Forest, who will play out his final year of eligibility. If Daniels is eligible, he and Newman would make for an intriguing quarterback battle in Athens this fall.

Daniels was a 5-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, and the No. 2 pro-style quarterback on the 247Sports Composite. He brings Power 5 experience to Georgia, after playing his true freshman season as the starter for a 5-7 USC squad. Daniels threw for 2,672 yards, tossing 14 touchdowns against ten interceptions in his freshman year. At the start of 2019, Daniels tore his ACL in the season-opener, giving way for freshman Kedan Slovis to step in.

Slovis’ success in 2019 led to Daniels entering the transfer portal in the offseason, and Tennessee was thought to be in the mix. Despite having a full quarterback room, there were enough connections to draw speculation. Wide receivers coach Tee Martin was USC’s passing game coordinator in 2018, and former USC wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. transferred to UT in January.

Whether or not Newman works out for Georgia in 2020, it seems Smart has found his quarterback of the future, as he continues to press for Georgia’s first national title since 1980.

Twitter reacts to Georgia landing USC transfer QB JT Daniels

See Twitter reactions to USC QB JT Daniels transferring to the Georgia football program.

It’s official. USC transfer quarterback JT Daniels is a Georgia Bulldog per his Twitter account. The former 5-star out of Santa Ana, California was the No. 6 prospect in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 3 rated quarterback behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

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As a freshman, Daniels threw for 2,672 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He entered the transfer portal in mid-April after his sophomore season was derailed by a knee injury. USC’s Kedon Slovis stepped in while Daniels was down and played well for the Trojans, making the transfer portal one of the only options for Daniels – reminiscent of the Eason/Fromm situation…

Georgia will have a lot of talent in its quarterback room this year.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the news:

 

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Georgia lands USC QB transfer JT Daniels, a former 5-star recruit

Georgia football has landed USC Trojans QB transfer JT Daniels, a former 5-star recruit.

The buzz picked up Thursday morning that USC Trojans quarterback JT Daniels would be transferring to Georgia.

At around 4 p.m. ET, Daniels made it official, tweeting that he is indeed taking his talents to Athens.

Daniels, who entered the transfer portal in mid-April, signed with USC as a five-star pro-style quarterback in the class of 2018. Out of Santa Ana, California, he ranked as the nation’s No. 6 overall player and as the third ranked quarterback, behind only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

He started for the Trojans in 2018 as a true freshman and has only used one full year of eligibility. Daniels’ freshman season had its ups and downs. He threw for 14 touchdowns and 2,672 yards with 10 interceptions, and the Trojans finished with a disappointing 5–7 record. Daniels was the starter to open the 2019 season as well, but tore his ACL and meniscus in the season-opener. After that, it was Kedon Slovis who came in and threw for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. With Slovis returning this year, it left Daniels no choice but to look to play elsewhere. Similar to the Jacob Eason/Georgia situation.

What it means for Georgia in 2020 is not yet clear. If he does gain immediate eligibility to play this year, it will make things a lot more interesting in Athens. Georgia landed Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman this offseason. Not only is Newman expected to start, but he is viewed as a guy who could contend for the Heisman. Already on the roster at quarterback this year is Newman, Stetson Bennett IV, redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis and true freshman Carson Beck.

And for 2021, whether or not Daniels receives immediate eligibility this year he’ll have plenty of competition. With Beck set to be a redshirt freshman next year and with 5-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff committed to UGA in the class of 2021, the Dawgs could have yet another quarterback competition on their hands. But despite what we’ve seen from Georgia in recent memory with Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm, starting a true freshman at quarterback in the SEC is not terribly ideal, so Vandagriff taking a redshirt year would not be so bad. We’ll have to wait and see if this possibly impacts Vandagriff’s decision to play for Georgia. What Beck will do is interesting to ponder as well. If he is unable to beat out Vandagriff or Daniels in 2021 he may look to transfer from Georgia. Remember, he’s a big-time talent as well who signed with UGA as a 4-star prospect in this year’s recruiting class and enrolled early in Athens. But he’s also a competitor who has his sights set on starting for the Bulldogs. As for Mathis, I would not be surprised to see him transfer out of UGA, as it’s unlikely he gets the starting nod over Newman, Daniels, Beck or Vandagriff.

The addition of Todd Monken as offensive coordinator this offseason looks to be attracting some top quarterback talent to Athens. Since the departure of Jake Fromm to the NFL, Georgia has added five new faces to its quarterback room, as pointed out by Jeff Sentell and DawgNation. 

  • Graduate transfer Jamie Newman
  • Transfer JT Daniels
  • Early enrollee Carson Beck
  • Preferred walk-on Austin Kirksey
  • Preferred walk-on Jackson Muschamp

 

JT Daniels highlights here

JT Daniels may be transferring to the Georgia football program. Enjoy these highlights here.

There’s been a lot of buzz Thursday that USC quarterback JT Daniels may be transferring to Georgia.

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Daniels, a former five-star quarterback in the class of 2018, started for the Trojans in 2018. He was the starter again in 2019 but suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the season-opener. That’s when Kedon Slovis came in and threw for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. Daniels lost the starting spot and figured his best bet to make it to the NFL was by transferring.

Daniels’ freshman season, he threw for 14 touchdowns and 2,672 yards with 10 interceptions, and the Trojans finished with a disappointing 5–7 record. Despite the up and down freshman year, Daniels can ball. That’s why he was the third ranked quarterback coming out of high school, behind only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

It’s not official yet, but it’s looking to be a sure-thing. In the meantime, enjoy these Daniels highlights.

 

 

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DJ Shockley weighs in on JT Daniels potentially transferring to Georgia

Georgia football great DJ Shockley likes the idea of USC Trojans QB JT Daniels transferring to play for UGA.

There has been a lot of buzz Thursday morning that USC quarterback JT Daniels, who is currently in the NCAA transfer portal, is almost a sure-thing to transfer to Georgia. 

Daniels, who entered the transfer portal in mid-April, signed with USC as a five-star pro-style quarterback in the class of 2018. Out of Santa Ana, California, he ranked as the nation’s No. 6 overall player and as the third ranked quarterback, behind only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

Following the news that Daniels may soon become a Bulldog, former Georgia SEC Championship winning quarterback DJ Shockley weighed in, and commented on how important it is to have competition at the quarterback position.

“Competition at its highest level at its top spot…..QB!!! Only good can come from good competition,” Shockley said on Twitter.

Daniels started for the Trojans in 2018 as a true freshman and has only used one full year of eligibility. Daniels’ freshman season had its ups and downs. He threw for 14 touchdowns and 2,672 yards with 10 interceptions, and the Trojans finished with a disappointing 5–7 record. Daniels was the starter to open the 2019 season as well, but tore his ACL and meniscus in the season-opener. After that, it was Kedon Slovis who came in and threw for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. With Slovis returning this year, it left Daniels no choice but to look to play elsewhere. Similar to the Jacob Eason/Georgia situation.

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Report: Georgia looking like favorite to land 5-star USC QB transfer

Georgia football looks like the favorite to land former 5-star QB transfer JT Daniels from the USC Trojans.

USC five-star quarterback JT Daniels, who is currently in the NCAA transfer portal, is reportedly close to becoming a Georgia Bulldog, according to Jake Reuse of Rivals.com

Daniels signed with USC as a five-star pro-style quarterback in the class of 2018. Out of Santa Ana, California, he ranked as the nation’s No. 6 overall player and as the third ranked quarterback, behind only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

Daniels entered the transfer portal in mid-April. He started for the Trojans in 2018 as a true freshman and has only used one full year of eligibility. Daniels’ freshman season had its ups and downs. He threw for 14 touchdowns and 2,672 yards with 10 interceptions, and the Trojans finished with a disappointing 5–7 record. Daniels was the starter to open the 2019 season as well, but tore his ACL and meniscus in the season-opener. After that, it was Kedon Slovis who came in and threw for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. With Slovis returning this year, it left Daniels no choice but to look to play elsewhere. Similar to the Jacob Eason/Georgia situation.

What does that mean for Georgia in 2020?

With Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman now in Athens, he looks like the frontrunner to start this year. Whether or not Daniels will receive immediate eligibility to play this year is not yet clear, but if he does, we’ll be in for a fun quarterback battle in 2020. Already on the roster at quarterback is Newman, Stetson Bennett IV, redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis and true freshman Carson Beck.

As for 2021, Georgia has a commitment from 5-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff. But despite what we’ve seen from Georgia in recent memory with Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm, starting a true freshman at quarterback in the SEC is not terribly ideal, so Vandagriff taking a redshirt year would not be so bad. We’ll have to wait and see if this possibly impacts Vandagriff’s decision to play for Georgia.

JT Daniels Enters Transfer Portal. 5 Possible Teams For The Former USC Quarterback

USC QB JT Daniels has entered the transfer portal. What five teams would be a strong fit for him?

USC QB JT Daniels has entered the transfer portal. What five teams would be a strong fit for him?

Get ready for the feeding frenzy.

JT Daniels was a five-star recruit out of USC quarterback training ground Mater Dei High School – Matt Leinart, Matt Barkley, Todd Marinovich – who was expected to be the next great Trojan superstar.

And now he has entered the transfer portal.

He left high school before his senior year, earned the starting job right away, and he went through the early growing pains as a too-young prospect being thrown to the wolves. In 2018, he hit close to 60% of his passes for 2.672 yards with 14 touchdowns and ten picks.

CFN in 60: Top 5 2020 NFL Draft Prospects

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But it was all supposed to come together in 2019 with offensive coordinator Graham Harrell running a pass-happy offense that was a perfect fit for Daniels. He connected on 25-of-34 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown with a pick in the opener against Fresno State before getting knocked out for the game and the season with a torn ACL. Kedon Slovis stepped in, put up massive numbers, and now Daniels is looking elsewhere to play.

What are the five best teams for him? Where should he be looking? There a two big factors in this.

1. Daniels is still getting healthy. He wouldn’t have been able to go in USC spring ball, but he was expected to be all-systems-go in fall camp. If there isn’t a college football season – or if it’s delayed – he’ll be that much healthier.

2. Is it possible he could be eligible right away? The NCAA has been hinting that it’ll go with the one-time transfer exemption for players without the year-long eligibility penalty. There are several places that could use Daniels right away, but there has to be some eye on the 2021 season in case the transfer rule doesn’t kick in, or if there’s a problem with the 2020 season.

Let’s assume the NCAA will run with the transfer rule exemption and Daniels will be allowed to play right away.

He’s not a runner, but he’s a 6-3, 210-pound passer with high-end skills and the upside to start from the moment he joins a new team.

Five schools that would be a good fit for Daniels are …

NEXT: 5 Possible Schools For JT Daniels

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Notre Dame: Biggest Rival’s Quarterback to Transfer

Now Daniels has entered the transfer-portal, the result of an unfortunate injury last fall.  That led to the emergence of Kedon Solvis who looked great as a freshman in 2019 and certainly played a role in Daniels announcing his decision to enter the portal on Thursday.

JT Daniels was a big-time USC pick-up a few years back as the five-star quarterback chose the Trojans over the rest of the litter which included offers from Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Stanford and plenty of others.  He made an unofficial visit to South Bend before committing to USC.

Now Daniels has entered the transfer-portal, the result of an unfortunate injury last fall.  That led to the emergence of Kedon Solvis who looked great as a freshman in 2019 and certainly played a role in Daniels announcing his decision to enter the portal on Thursday.

Just because Daniels has entered the transfer portal doesn’t mean that he is 100% out at USC.  He could exit the portal and stay with the program, but I’d bet against that.  For reference, Daniels threw for

Does Notre Dame make sense for Daniels?

Daniels will have three years of eligibility remaining, having used a year of eligibility only in 2018 at USC.  I’m always for competition for starting spots and that steel sharpens steel, but with Tyler Buchner already committed and Drew Pyne in the 2020 class it’s hard for me to imagine Notre Dame pushing too hard.  Stranger things have happened but I’d be very surprised to see the Irish pursue this former rival, even if I don’t have a problem with more competition at the most important position.

Where does he go then?

Assuming health, which can get you in trouble, he’ll have his pick of plenty of top programs.  One of those top programs just happens to be coming fresh off a national championship and showed what they could pull off with a transfer quarterback who is about to go first overall in the NFL Draft.  Yeah, I’m guessing LSU for Daniels, as unoriginal of thought as it may be.  Figure to be plenty of players here, though.