Kirby, Georgia Bulldogs Try to Narrow in on 2020 Starting QB

ATHENS - With only ten days separating the Georgia Bulldogs and their season opener at Arkansas, Kirby Smart is trying to figure out what he’s going to do at quarterback.

“It is not a problem for me,” Kirby Smart said Tuesday. “This is getting to be a norm here. It is not a cause for concern for our coaches, our organization or players.”

The Bulldogs have had a transitional year at the position. Jamie Newman transferred into the program. So did JT Daniels. Both arrived in Athens as former starting quarterbacks at Power 5 schools. Newman left the program two weeks ago to focus on the NFL. Daniels’ status has seemingly been slowed by not being cleared officially by UGA’s medical staff.

That may well have left the door open for redshirt D’Wan Mathis, who according to insiders, has surged over the last few days to be a major contender to start against the Hogs in two Saturdays.

Georgia’s entire offense has changed this year. Three-year starter Jake Fromm moved on to the NFL. Kirby Smart moved on from former offensive coordinator James Coley to former Browns offensive coordinator Todd Moken, who has installed a most open offensive system for the Bulldogs.

Former UGA QB Aaron Murray chimed in after watching a UGA scrimmage over the weekend, saying that Mathis “has a lot of potential - a lot of upside.” Murray went on to add that freshman Carson Beck “looked the best”, but was going up against the Bulldogs’ No. 2 defense. “He looked really comfortable.”

Kirby confirmed Tuesday that Daniels still has not been cleared.

“JT is not completely cleared yet. He’s practicing with us. If we didn’t think he wouldn’t be ready he wouldn’t practice with us,” the fifth-year coach said.

Kirby indicated that the Bulldogs could go with multiple quarterbacks.

“They are all in different situations in their career,” Kirby said.