Kirby Smart provides the latest update on QB D’Wan Mathis heading into training camp
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In the previous seasons under Kirby Smart’s watch, Georgia has had arguably the most ideal backup quarterback situation in the entire SEC.
Two seasons ago, Smart had Jake Fromm backing up Jacob Eason while this time last year, Georgia had Justin Fields backing up Fromm. Heading into this training camp, things are vastly different for the Bulldogs.
With Fields’ offseason departure to Ohio State, Georgia has only true freshman D’Wan Mathis and former Georgia walk-on and most recently junior college transfer Stetson Bennett to serve as backups in Athens. The situation only got worse this offseason as Mathis had to have emergency surgery in order to fix a cyst on his brain.
While Mathis is progressing well and is expected to make a full recovery, Smart announced on Friday that the freshman quarterback will be limited entering fall camp. The freshman signal-caller won’t be available for practice but can participate in seven-on-seven work.
“D’Wan is not fully cleared but D’Wan is able to do passing drills, individual drills. Things that we know he can be safe and not take a hit and not risk injury,” Smart said of the decision to hold Mathis back entering camp. “Still don’t know when he will be cleared but I’m excited to see D’Wan work today.”
If there was any doubt regarding the backup job in Athens, this news seems to seal it. It’s all but a guarantee that Bennett will serve as Fromm’s backup this fall.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
