JT Daniels time? Kirby Smart updates Georgia's QB situation ahead of Auburn game
Georgia coach Kirby Smart proactively addressed the quarterback situation on Monday as the Bulldogs prepare to take on Auburn in Athens on Saturday.
Smart said that JT Daniels will be cleared to play this week, but he’s not sure how much that changes the predicament. On the latest depth chart, all four QBs were listed as “or.” D’Wan Mathis started, but struggled in the win at Arkansas, while Stetson Bennett IV relieved him, and Carson Beck is also in the mix.
Daniels is working to get the medical clearance through a series of tests around his knee following an injury suffered last year at Southern Cal.
“We’re going to continue to work with all the guys we’ve got to put the best guy in there that gives us the best opportunity to win the football games,” Smart said. “D’Wan did not play as bad as it seemed to some. I thought he did some good things watching the tape, and he had some unfortunate bad breaks to happen while he was in at quarterback. JT will be cleared, but I don’t know how much that changes the picture in terms of reps and development. … We always thought he’d be cleared by this time anyway.”
Doing those workouts in a game-like and practice-like situation is not easy.
“I thought Stetson did a good job when he came in, he’s played a lot of football,” Smart said. “He had a lot of composure, he handled the pocket well, he handled the protections well. Stetson has seen a lot of football in his time. The stuff he sees from our defense day in day out, taking all the reps last year, he’s very calm and posted, and D’Wan did a lot of good things, guys. It’s not his fault a play got called back for holding. It’s not his fall a guy missed a pickup on third down and he almost turned that into a first down. So he did a lot of good things early on there, and we just never could put good things back to back. Every drive he had came to a stop for some reason or another.”
Mathis looked lost Saturday…it was apparent he had not played much in while…and I felt Bennet played a pretty good game. The Dawg’s QB carousel seems to continue down the road. Jake Fromm is surely being missed.
IMO Fromm lost control of the team in 2019. It was time to move on.
Nobody in Dawg Nation predicted that UGA would be a scoring machine at the beginning of 2020.
In hindsight, I’m encouraged by the UGA offense that played the 2nd half last Saturday.
The projected 3/4 string QB came off the bench and put up impressive numbers.
If Daniels is better than Bennett then the UGA offense should really start improving with more snaps.
Fromm never coached the team. Kirby literally killed Fromm’s passing development by living on the run. If one could of convinced Kirby a few years ago to develop a more dynamic passing scheme of offense at UGA, you’d have Fields at QB. Bennett is not the guy that’s going to beat the harder teams. His past stats aren’t conducive for this its a world of difference playing good SEC teams an almost non-existent winded AR D. But we get to find out Saturday. If he lights up Auburn I’ll jump on the Bennett bandwagon.
That’s an idiotic take. Fromm didn’t “lose control” of a team he led to a playoff appearance in his freshman season. He suffered from pathetic WR play, an unimaginative run game, and a small level of regression that certainly didn’t make him “lose control” of the team.
I agree. Personally I would kill to have Fromm right now.
Exactly. Lack of quality WRs.
@AFan………….37 points mostly in the second half, by a 3rd string QB. And you already say that Fromm is being missed? What was the Alabama score again? Seems like I remember it being similar, except you gave up more points.
PS. SURE LOOKS LIKE TUA IS MISSED! ALONG WITH KIRBY SMART FOR CERTAIN!!!!!
King Negan
@AFan……….In a while? Maybe I’m wrong but I have never seen him play in college other than Gday! Now to be honest I missed a game or two because I had other things to do that had to be done. But I don’t think he has played at all.
As for looking lost. No I think he looked more tense or afraid. But wouldn’t you be if you had never played and was coming off BRAIN SURGERY?
Something people need to remember. HE WASN’T BEING HIT IN PRACTICE AND HE KNEW IT! So that is why he looked ALL WORLD in practice and LOST or TENSE in the game! He can get over that now that he played. Still I believe JT Daniels is the answer or should be allowed to try. He was the best in practice. Smart said it. He said JT was the most ready to play now!
PS. It’s hard for me to believe anyone will play any better than the mailman played. But I want the most CONSISTENT QB! Personally I think it’s Daniels. But im not ready to give up on him either if he comes out a bit tight, FIRST GAME OFF INJURY!
King Negan
There he is, making his Broadway entrance.
But he beat out a multi year starter in Fall camp, causing him to quit the team.
@gator out west…….I’m not sure how you meant that. But why am I the only one to see the obvious? D’wan Mathis might have looked better that Newman in practice. HE WASN’T BEING HIT AT ALL IN PRACTICE!!! There were a few OBVIOUS HIGH HEAD AREA HITS EARLY IN THAT GAME! Would you be calm and composed. If you were nearly fresh off BRAIN SURGERY AND LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! PLAYING IN YOUR FIRST EVER SEC GAME? I seriously doubt it.
While I’ve said from the very start. JT Daniels or Carson Beck were the best QBs we had at Georgia. D’wan Mathis will shock everyone before it’s all said and done!!! Whether it be at UGA or somewhere else!!!!
D’wan Mathis if you read this. I hope you stay at UGA. BECAUSE WE MIGHT NEED YOU, AND I WANT GREAT QBS AROUND. BUT IF YOU DECIDE TO TRANSFER. JUST STAY AWAY FROM MULLEN THE CLOWN AND FLORIDA! NEVER FORGET UGA DID SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!! AND THAT WOULD BE A TERRIBLE WAY TO REPAY THEM. BECAUSE YOUR A GOOD/GREAT QB WHO JUST NEEDS TIME!!!
As I said. I believe JT Daniels or Carson Beck are the top QBs at UGA. Both are fast enough. And both have a cannon similar to Mathis! Only both are DEADLY ACCURATE at their best!!!! But I’m not willing to say it’s impossible for Mathis to start. HE COULD START VS AUBURN!!!!!
PS. While I believe JT or Carson are the best we have. I won’t count Mathis out! We have THE MAILMAN and now we have THE MIRACLE MAN MATHIS! Don’t steal my name without allowing people to know who gave him the name once it sticks! REMEMBER MIRACLES CAN FOLLOW A MIRACLE MAN! I STILL SEE HIM BEING SOME TYPE OF HERO AT UGA BEFORE ITS OVER!!!! LOL
King Negan
Are you saying Kirby was expecting Mathis not to get hit all year and that’s why he chose him over Newman? Another winning choice by Kirby.
Let’s be honest, Mathis is out of the competition to be the starter shy some type of any injury nightmare to Bennett, Daniels and Beck.
Maybe Mathis gets some mop-up time this season.
I don’t think he’s “out of the competition” because of one bad game after not playing for over a year. He’s still the same guy. He had a bad day.
I understand the PC answer is to say Mathis is still a contender – but I watched the entire game Saturday.
The gap between Bennett and Mathis was extreme, and Bennett is a former walk on.
Beyond the difference in execution, processing in real time, presence of mind, knowing the offense, knowing the coverages etc
The offensive team’s response to Bennett leading the unit was a tell all.
The O-line didn’t just start blocking better, RB’s running better and receivers catching better because Bennett made a couple of passes.
I just think he was nervous and trying to dust off the cobwebs. We had a lot of penalties and he got his bell rung on that run to the sidelines. You might be right and he won’t pan out but he has a ton of talent and his deep ball (and arm in general) is way better than Stetson’s. I think he’ll get another chance.
To your point though he was certainly outplayed by Stetson. Stetson seemed much more confident in his delivery. Getting the ball out quick helped the flow of the game.
@TDOW…….Baker Mayfield was a walk on TWICE!!! It turned out well for the H TROPHY WINNER!!! Kyle Trask was a walk on at Florida under Coach Mac!!! Yet I would say without him. Florida would be up the creek without a paddle!!! And it has NOTHING AT ALL to do with Mullen. He was as good under Coach Mac!!! Just go back wand watch the spring game when Mac first got to Florida, I believe. Or his second year. Either way, watch those games. You’ll see that Kyle Trask was better than Franks and Del’rio then. But because he was a walk on. He never got much attention. But watch him back then. He was the best they had!!! It might have been the last year under Coach Mac or possibly Dan Mullens first year? Whenever Trask first got to Florida and it was a spring game. Put I’m pretty sure it was under Coach Mac. But either way. My point is that he was their best QB back then!!! Dan Mullen had nothing to do with his success!!! Unless holding him down is something great. He only started him because of the injury to Franks! And he only started him over Emory Jones because Jones is still not ready!!! At least not up to this point. He had 1 for 3, and 1 interception and no TDs!
If Mullen was a QB whisperer. Then Emory Jones would have started midway through his first season. He is a former 5 star now demoted to 4 star! Absolutely perfect for Mullens offense. He is a burner with a big arm. Same as D’wan Mathis. The difference is that he hasn’t had Brain Surgery. And he has been their going on 3 years now! And still looks basically the same. Mullen doesn’t trust him with the ball vs a UGA defense. That is why he sits on the bench. He is not blossoming. He is regressing under Mullen. Many/not me compared him to Justin Fields the year they both came out!!! I’m glad Justin said No to diaper Dan. We might be facing Justin Fields in the cocktail party every year. That could cause issues. But we would prevail because of DEFENSE! But last season with those offensive problems we were having. I’m not sure that Fields doesn’t make up 7 points!!! Guess we will never know!!!! Emory Jones should have been playing.
I honestly believe unless something bad happens. Like God forbid Trask getting hurt. Forcing Jones to start. I believe Emory Jones transfers!!! Because I don’t believe Mullen is really thinking about him for next season. I believe he had Anthony Richardson on his mind!!!! Just being honest.
Hopefully Emory Jones is not stupid enough to listen to Mullen again next season when he says quote. ” Well we’re planning to play both QBs a lot this season.” Because I guarantee he will say that, to keep him around!!!! EMORY JONES WOULD BE STARTING AT A FEW OTHER SEC SCHOOLS THIS YEAR, RIGHT NOW!!! There are a few places he could start!!! Auburn might be one of them!!! That is not a knock on Bo Nix either. I just believe Gus would have started him. And I honestly believe he would be a STAR IN THAT AUBURN OFFENSE!!!! At Florida I’m not so sure!
PS. I’m just being honest. But anyway, Trask and Baker Mayfield were both walk on QBs originally!!! In fact , Baker Mayfield is the very QB that the coaching staff compared Stedson Bennett to. As far as his game goes! Slightly smaller and not as strong in the lower body. But everything else is Baker Mayfield’ish!!!! Not a bad comparison!!!
KN
Trask came to Florida as a scholarship quarterback.
@Return of the G………I agree with your comments. But people keep saying he hasn’t played in a while. WHEN DID HE PLAY OTHER THAN G DAY? I’m asking because I can’t remember. Unless we might have used him in some situational plays that I forget. But I only recall G DAY!!! I’m not saying I didn’t forget something. I do it a lot. LOL. He is not out by a long shot. He could still start vs Auburn. Although I personally believe THE MAILMAN earned a start! But I’m a JT Daniels or Carson Beck man myself. But I’m still not counting Mathis out.
PS. I was the one who said. Don’t count Mathis out. Way back when his name wasn’t even mentioned!!!! HE WAS MEANT TO BE AT UGA! Because their medical staff SAVED HIS LIFE!!!! His own father admits to that!!! When his chance comes again. I bet we see a different QB!!!!
He wasn’t getting hit in practice. That is why he shined. NO FEAR OF BEING HIT!!! He was just able to sit back and play without fear. HE NEARLY DIED!!! It’s natural that he is nervous the first time he gets tackled. PLAYING IN HIS FIRST EVER GAME OR GAME, AS FAR AS I REMEMBER!!!!! AND FOR CERTAIN, HIS FIRST EVER START!!!!
PS. Never count out THE MIRACLE MAN!!!
King Negan
The wannabe book writer is back. Your long arse diatribes have so many falsehoods not sure where to begin. For one Trask was not a walk on. E Jones was always a 4 star. Stick to the Georgia players you know nothing about our guys
Walk on???? He was offered during a camp in Gainesville. My goodness you’ve got it wrong Megan.
For how many years did we hear the UF fans extoll Felipe Franks, Franks was going to be the next best thing – tall, strong arm, athletic etc
Some guys just can’t make the next step up
It’s called the Peter Principal.
I hope the switch comes on for Mathis but I’m not going to bet on it.
I wouldn’t guarantee that so early! Mathis never played and is coming off BRAIN SURGERY! REMEMBER HE WASN’T BEING HIT IN PRACTICE!!!! Let’s just let it all play out.
But I said from the start. That JT Daniels or Carson Beck and maybe Mathis were the best QBs we had. Back when everyone said Jaime Newman! I also recall saying. DON’T FORGET ABOUT BENNETT!!!! But it’s too early to decide the QB contest.
If JT Daniels comes out a little tight. It’s not time to give up on him either. D’wan Mathis also deserves another chance at playing time!!! Not against the stronger teams in tight games. Unless we need a dual threat on the goal line. Still he needs a second chance. That was his FIRST EVER GAME ACTION!!! JUSTIN FIELDS DIDN’T LOOK ALL WORLD EITHER IN HIS FIRST ACTION. BUT PLAYING IN THE WEAK D BIG 10 SURE AGREES WITH HIM!!!! HE CAN THANK HIS STRUGGLES AT UGA IN THE SEC FOR HAVING IT EASY NOW!!!!! That’s how it works.
It won’t be time to give up on JT Daniels either if he is a bit tight. Assuming he starts!!! Honestly if it were ME! I believe I would start Bennett vs Auburn and if he is kicking their pants off. Leave him in. But if he starts faltering. Then bring JT Daniels off the bench. LESS PRESSURE THAT WAY!!!!
PS. Bring him off the bench so he has a chance to get some of the butterflies out. By watching the game. Sometimes people really blossom coming off the bench!!! I also believe CARSON BECK deserves some playing time to! Let’s not lose another elite QB BY NOT GIVING HIM A CHANCE!!!!
King Negan
So in other words we have 4 all world QBs but we still don’t know who will start
How did you come to that conclusion? Or are you one of a myriad of trolls on this site?
cojones lives on UGA threads
call her out and she’ll whine to no end.
pot meet kettle
Lol, like a trained little monkey.
Where should I mail the peanut to?
He’s a troll.
He leaves every November for about three months.
LOL I bet he does
Ah, I love a good fall tradition
You draw some wacky, interesting conclusions and simultaneously never fail at your occupation as a pathetic piece of cow dung trashing a bunch of college age players at every opportunity. Enjoy your miserable existence.
I’m a little nervous about pushing JT into action too soon. I would proceed with great caution. Roll with Stetson maybe and save JT for Bama? But of course, they don’t care what I think.
Don’t let Alabama be Daniels first game back, that could be disasterious.
I would love to see Daniels come in and perform well, but I think Bennett has long been underrated. I would also love to see Mathis get another chance. All I really want is some stability and good production from our QB.
All I see out of Bennett, is a decent quarterback who could do well, but remember who he was playing on Saturday. Auburn is a different animal.
I could make this exact statement about Nix.
I could too but I’d replace decent with good.
Nah. Decent is the appropriate word.
If you’re referring to last season, yes it is.
I don’t know how much you can really call Bennett underrated. Seeing him briefly take over for Fromm in the SEC championship had me worried to no end. I think he’s a smart, serviceable QB who will most likely not lose games he shouldn’t. I think most people feel that way about him, and I think for that he is appropriately rated.
I seriously question how limited he’ll be. With the way that offensive line played Saturday whoever the QB is can’t be a statue in the pocket. I’m equally concerned with the status of the run game anyway.
You’ve got to get the ball to Pickens more as well.
I’m not as concerned about the run game after watching the second half. When Stetson got passes down field, the run game opened up a lot more. Zeus finished on 13 carries at 5.5 a clip vs I think he was at 3 before the half?
It was great to see Zeus running hard. Some said he wouldn’t have the lateral moves because of his surgery. Tell that to the two defenders grabbing air on one of his bursts.
And he blocked a punt!!
Yeah he looked really good when he had running room, and I love seeing “stars” play hard on ST. It was good to see.
Don’t get to high on White. He had 71 yards and 1 TD against Arkansas. He’s still got a boatload to prove.
He looked about as dynamic as you can hope for when he had any room at all to run with.
Daniels will be cleared by Saturday. But the question is, is he the best quarterback on the team? I’d say Georgia would take a lot over what they have now, especially a former 5-star recruit who’s been recognized as one of the best passers in high school history.
But his first game will be against a top 5 defense in the country. The Auburn has DBs that will lock up Pickens and linebackers that will shut down White and Cook. Unfortunately, Georgia has the same stuff on defense.
It’s a wait and see deal I guess.
To your point, I think you’ll see more than one qb Saturday if Auburn’s d is air tight. Mathis can run, he didn’t have much issue with that Saturday (though he was a little timid after a big hit) and I think that will be what the doctor ordered to keep Auburn honest. Though I need him to complete some passes down field if he does get in the game.
Kirby making decisions based on what’s best for him and the team instead of the player, what a shocker.
gator out west, As opposed to Kirby making decisions based on what’s best for one player instead of the team and it’s coach.
Yes! That’s what Kirby Smart is doing. As it should be.
Really? I would think a coach should look out for what’s best for each player, whether that means he should encourage a player to go to the NFL if he’s a high round pick or not trick someone that wants to transfer to staying for the rest of the season while barely playing, making the player ineligible for the next season.
But I’m sure he’s upfront when recruiting these kids, telling them he puts the team first and the player second.
LOL don’t act like you know what he tells kids while recruiting. You are making assumptions. You know what they say when you assume?
You seriously think coaches don’t try to get potential transfers to stay? You really think that?
gator out west, I have no idea of what you think you’re talking about, and I doubt you do either.
My point is that Kirby recruits his players with, if you come to Georgia, you will have to earn your position, the best player plays regardless of how long he’s been in the program.
That’s part of why they come to UGA. Kirby is up front and honest with every kid and their parents. He does what’s best for the team, and his players.
If they can’t make it at Georgia, Kirby helps them find somewhere where they can make it.
Are you talking about bogus accusations made by non graduate transfers who couldn’t make the two deep?
Yup, no allegations of lying to kids while recruiting. None whatsoever, by nobody in the SEC.
And yes, referring to all the allegations by former players about Kirby. Because many players making these allegations must all be lying, must be a conspiracy.
What are “all the allegations by former players”?
Fields left because Fromm wasn’t going to be unseated and wanted to come back.
Luke Ford Left to be closer to his family.
Cox left after being suspended for weed.
Reese is the only one I can think of that has blamed Kirby. I think it’s ridiculous for him to claim Kirby “tricked” him though. Of course Kirby tried to get him to stay. Any coach would try to get them to stay.
Why would you ever put an individual before the team unless your trying to mimmick FSU
Liberal Gaturd A-Hole Out West, Kirby is completely honest when he recruits and tells EVERYONE, even the 5 stars, they will have to compete for their position and playing time. He also tells them they will have to play special teams. What does Mullet tell his recruits, that his wife will be kissing them after the games? Bizarre.
LOL what? If he was doing that wouldn’t you think Arkansas would be a better first game to put him in. This is a really stupid take. I thought only UGA had trolls on SDS. Y’all beat Ole Miss and come out in droves.
According to Florida fans, Kirby kicks dogs, punches babies, and takes money from the poor. Do you have any more overwrought, reaching conclusions about Smart’s character?
Untrue, only takes money from the poor.
At this point and time, my money’s on Stetson Bennett getting the start against Auburn. The kid came in and did a good job, and like Kirby said “He had a lot of composure, he handled the pocket well, he handled the protections well.”
I would add, Bennett is an accurate passer, and clearly has picked up the new offense as well as could be expected based on it being the first game.
Daniels has a stronger arm and on paper more potential, but at this point, is he as advanced in the offense?
I think the safe play is to make Bennett the unannounced Auburn game starter and open competition for his back-up.
I like our chances with Stetson.
It is a bit surprising why Stetson keeps getting looked over. Better arm, more talent doesn’t always equate to what’s better for the team. But I’m not worried, Kirby always chooses the right QB.
It doesn’t matter who we choose. They will all look like Joe Montana against Florida…on 3rd down anyway.
That’s a good one.
Mathis looked unready, as did the entire UGA offense in the first half. It’s a long season, though, and I’m not writing him off just yet. Tempus fugit, though, and that goes for the entire offense.
Assuming nothing dramatic happens this week, I expect Stetson to start Saturday. Kirby is a big believer in rewarding game production (see Fromm, Jake), and Bennett delivered big time. Most importantly, the team responded well to him and quit shooting themselves in the foot. He’ll likely get the majority of snaps with the ones this week. Assuming he remains the QB we saw Saturday, I’m not sure how Kirby couldn’t start him.
Remember, Monken’s offense in not about heaving the ball 60 yards downfield several times a series – it’s about controlled, quick passes to athletes in space. Or QB ROs. Stetson is excellent at both, and makes quick reads/decisions.
In fact, there were several handoffs Saturday where the edge crashed in on the RB, leaving 15-20 yards of open green on one side. Stetson probably had a red light on changing the plays or freelancing, but if he starts against Auburn I expect the DEs to get burned a time or two if they concentrate to hard on stuffing the RBs.
I expect we’ll see D’Wan too at some point. Daniels, I suppose it depends on how he does in practice this week as fully cleared.
So JT is cleared? That’s a shocker…
Is it? How so?
BamaTroll. Do you have a job? Or does SDS pay you to troll UGA fans?
Oh no you gonna follow me around now snowflake? Did it hurt your feelings that other fans can read someone else’s opinion without wishing them harm?
Cry b!tch cry…
Im not on the Danial”s train. He was beat out by a freshmen.played in a weak conference, he’s about to find out what Sec football is. I hope he does well , but feel the out come won’t be good.
Agreed I thought Eason was over rated I thought the same of Daniels and Newman.. I love the Stetson story and I think he is gonna be the guy to deliver the most wins (7-9) I don’t think the dawgs a be winning the sec or making playoffs with any body we have behind center this year