Tag: uga quarterbacks

Former Georgia star RB D’Andre Swift on UGA quarterbacks: ‘I would like to see D’Wan Mathis out there’

Former Georgia running back D’Andre Swift gives his thoughts on the UGA quarterback situation. Details and analysis here!

Georgia is set to kick off its 2020 season versus Arkansas at 4 p.m. on the SEC Network and currently has not named a starting quarterback.

The Bulldogs were hit with adversity early this September when Wake Forest transfer quarterback Jamie Newman decided to opt-out of the 2020 season citing, concerns surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

This left Georgia with redshirt sophomore USC transfer J.T. Daniels and redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis as potential signal callers.

We have received news today that Daniels has still yet to be cleared for gameplay from his ACL tear last year, which means we will most likely see Mathis make his college football deput in Fayetteville.

Lions running back, former Georgia football star D’Andre Swift gave his thoughts on the Georgia quarterback situation recently in an interview with Campus Lore.

“I know Coach Smart is going to make the best decision for the team,” Swift said. “But, me personally, I would like to see D’Wan Mathis out there. I think he will bring a different style of play. I have been reading up on him and he has looked great in camp. He is ready and looked real mature. I want to see him out there. I definitely want to see him out there.”

There may not be as much of a battle as reported, if Daniels’ can’t get cleared from his knee injury that occured last October.

It should free Mathis up to run things without the thought of Daniels’ over his shoulder every play, but against teams like Auburn and Alabama, the Bulldogs may need all hands on deck to get the offense going.

What Arkansas media is saying about Georgia football ahead of Saturday’s season opener

See what the Arkansas media is saying about Georgia ahead of Saturday’s matchup. Details and analysis here!

It’s finally here. No. 4 Georgia is set to kickoff its 2020 season at Arkansas on Saturday at 4 p.m. on the SEC Network.

UGA coach Kirby Smart matched up against former offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who left the Bulldogs last year to take the head coach position in Fayetteville.

Georgia has not yet named a starting quarterback and Smart hinted to the possibility of UGA keeping that under wraps anyway, but we know that former Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks will be at signal caller for the Razorbacks.

Here is what the Arkansas football media is saying about the Bulldogs:

“Maybe Smart mentioning Mathis last means he’s going to start. Several Georgia media members have speculated Mathis will start Saturday.”

“Georgia’s expected starter Jamie Newman who transferred in as a grad transfer from Wake Forest was generally considered the most likely quarterback, but he opted out of the season. That left USC transfer JT Daniels and D’Wan Mathis as the likely candidates. A reporter speculated to Pittman that Mathis seemed to be the likely starter.

“Georgia did not rack up a bunch of sacks last season either, finishing 46th nationally with 31 total, nor did the Bulldogs did not make a lot of TFL (60th with 76). Given those numbers, the fact that UGA was second nationally in allowing just 2.6 yards per rush without a lot of those negative yardage plays is even more impressive. They also led the nation with only two rushing touchdowns allowed.

The Razorbacks, off consecutive 2-10 seasons, start last year’s true freshman starting guard at center and first-time starting redshirt freshmen guards. They’ll either start a third-year sophomore (injured last season) or last year’s incumbent at right tackle with the lone senior starter at left tackle.

Arkansas has more than a challenge Saturday. Georgia enters with the best defense in the nation and some serious talent on offense, featuring guys like George Pickens, Zamir White, James Cook, etc.

It will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs treat the quarterback position Saturday. Will we see one guy take over the game, or will we see each player get some reps, and who gets the starting nod and why?

Because of the questions surrounding J.T. Daniels’ knee, I suspect D’Wan Mathis will get the start and a majority of the reps, with Daniels and Stetson Bennett seeing a limited number of snaps. We may even see freshman Carson Beck get reps as well.

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.

Twitter reacts as NCAA rules USC transfer JT Daniels to be immediately eligible

Quarterback J.T. Daniels, who recently transferred to the University of Georgia, has been granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.

Ex-USC quarterback J.T. Daniels, who recently transferred to the University of Georgia, has been granted immediate eligibility for this season from the NCAA.

The former Trojan is a five-star from Santa Ana, California. He was ranked as the No. 3-rated quarterback in his loaded recruiting class.

In 2018, Daniels threw for 2,672 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for USC. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury last season. Kedon Slovis was great in his time as the starter in 2019 and was strongly favored to win the starting job entering the 2020 season.

Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman is projected to start for Georgia next season, but Daniels will compete provide solid depth and talent. Georgia has received a commitment from five-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff in the class of 2021.

Here’s how college football Twitter reacted to the news of Daniels’ eligibility:

https://twitter.com/TreyWallace_/status/1282720128262639616?s=20

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NCAA reaches decision on 2020 eligibility for Georgia QB JT Daniels

USC transfer quarterback JT Daniels has released the NCAA’s decision regarding his eligibility for the 2020 season. Details here

Per his Twitter, former USC quarterback JT Daniels, who recently transferred to Georgia, has been granted immediate eligibility from the NCAA for the 2020 college football season.

“Thank you to the NCAA for granting me immediate eligibility and allowing me to play football this fall. I will not comment on the waiver or transfer, but look forward to a great 2020 season with my teammates.”

The news comes two months after Daniels announced his commitment to the Bulldogs. 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.

In 2018, as a freshman at USC, Daniels threw for 2,672 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He entered the transfer portal in mid-April after his 2019 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.

The Bulldogs are set with Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman as signal caller for 2020, but it’s great to know that Daniels will be available if something were to happen. Hopefully he will get some meaningful snaps to help prepare him to compete with 2021 5-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff for the starter position next season.

Former UGA QB Hutson Mason likes what he sees from JT Daniels’ film

Former Georgia football QB Hutson Mason is already a fan of new UGA passer JT Daniels.

On Thursday, former 5-star quarterback recruit JT Daniels announced he would be transferring from USC to Georgia.

Following that announcement, former Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason checked out some of Daniels’ film, and he likes what he sees from the former Trojans starter.

Daniels started for USC in 2018 as a true freshman and had his 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, Daniels thought it was in his best interest to seek a transfer. Similar to the Jacob Eason/Georgia situation.

But Daniels was a five-star for a reason, so there’s no doubt he can play. He was the third ranked quarterback in the class of 2018, behind only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

Mason took to Twitter to share his thoughts on Daniels’ film, writing “the more tape I watch of him the more impressed I become.”

Watch here as Mason breaks down Daniels’ film. If Mason is right about Daniels, Georgia should be in good hands for the next few years.

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What will Georgia’s QB room look like now?

After JT Daniels announced he’s transferring to UGA, the Georgia football QB room look a lot more interesting now.

On Thursday, former USC quarterback JT Daniels announced he is transferring to The University of Georgia, adding competition to an already talented UGA quarterback room.

Whether or not Daniels will be immediately eligible to play at Georgia is not yet known. But if he is cleared to play in 2020, things will be a lot more interesting in Athens this year.

The addition of Todd Monken as offensive coordinator this offseason looks to be attracting some top quarterback talent to Georgia. Since the departure of Jake Fromm to the NFL, Georgia has now brought in five new passers, as outlined by Jeff Sentell of DawgNation:

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

Newman, Daniels, Stetson Bennett IV, redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis and true freshman Carson Beck are the key quarterbacks to keep an eye on this year, though.

Not only is Newman, who Georgia landed early in the offseason, expected to start, but he is viewed as a guy who could contend for the Heisman.

If Daniels can play this season, how Kirby Smart handles the two high-profile quarterbacks will be a huge storyline following what’s taken place in Athens recently with Justin Fields, Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm.

Regardless, competition at the quarterback position is always a great thing to have.

And for 2021, whether or not Daniels receives immediate eligibility this year, he’ll have plenty of competition. With Beck possibly going to be a redshirt freshman in 2021 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 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 could he 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.

Matt DeBary of DawgPost does not believe this will lead to either Beck or Vandagriff backing off their decision to play for the Dawgs.

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. However, if Daniels is not eligible to play this year, it’s possible that Mathis is the second-string quarterback in 2020 behind Newman. Sticking with that scenario (Daniels being ineligible), maybe Smart would feel less inclined to slap a redshirt on Beck and allow him and Mathis to battle it out for the second-string job. But if Mathis gets buried on the depth chart, that’s a real bummer. A former 4-star in the class of 2019, he has overcome so much in his short time as a collegiate athlete and is ready to return to action following surgery to remove a cyst on his brain last summer. Whatever Mathis decides to do, I hope it works out well for him.

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Georgia football player profile: QB D’Wan Mathis

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback D’Wan Mathis was Georgia’s co-winner of the David Jacobs Award in 2019 for overcoming his scary brain cyst

Quarterback D’Wan Mathis(#2):

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 6-6

Weight: 205 lbs

Hometown: Oak Park, Michigan

High School: Oak Park High School

Apr 20, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback D’Wan Mathis (2) passes during the Georgia spring game at Sanford Stadium.  Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback D’Wan Mathis was Georgia’s co-winner of the David Jacobs Award in 2019 for overcoming his scary brain cyst. Mathis contributed as a scout team quarterback for the Bulldogs in 2019, but was never fully cleared to play until after the season.

As a freshman in 2019, Mathis enrolled early and played in the G-Day game, where he was 15-28 for 113 passing yards. Mathis committed to the University of Georgia after originally being committed to Ohio State. He was a good flip for Kirby Smart and the offensive staff.

Mathis will participate in UGA’s quarterback competition heading into the 2020 college football season. He was a four-star prospect as a recruit.

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