Kirby Smart: Challenge from Jake Fromm benefitting Jacob Eason
Big things are expected from UGA QB Jacob Eason in his second year on campus. The former 5-star prospect enrolled early last year and eventually won the starting job, taking over in Week 2 and never looking back.
With 12 starts under his belt, Eason is expected to be more mature and better prepared for playing against SEC defenses. If you believe the word out of Athens – and not everyone does – he’s competing early enrollee Jake Fromm for the starting job in 2017.
Eason called it a healthy competition when he met with the media earlier in the week.
“There’s always going to be competition, no matter who’s there,” Eason said. “I feel like Jake is coming in, he’s a great kid like I said before, I’m looking forward to the next couple of years with him.”
On Saturday, coach Kirby Smart said the “challenge” from Fromm is benefitting the returning starter.
“”(Eason is) more confident in the pocket. He’s more confident in the protections,” Smart said according to Jake Rowe of Dawgs247. “His decision making is better and his accuracy has been better. But he’s getting challenged because the other guy did well, too. Jake Fromm did well.”
Smart has already seen both quarterbacks improve during spring practice.
“I do think offensively Jacob and Jake both are more comfortable throwing the ball,” Smart said. “I know Jacob is in a better spot right now than he was this time last year. But we’ve got to continue to grow him as a passer. He’s got to develop in protections and we’ve got to get some wideouts that can win one-on-one and help him.”
On the 247Sports Composite, a fifth star eluded Fromm, but the Warner Robins, Ga. product was rated the No. 3 pro-style prospect of this year’s class. Eason was the No. 1 pro-style prospect of the 2016 class.
I dont get these highly talented and touted QBs going to schools that already have a deeply trenched QB. Especially ones that are freshman. Fromm is SOL in any chance of starting unless Eason gets hurt. Eason is gonna be at Jawja 3 more years so my guess, Fromm will transfer after this year. Just like Tau at Bama. Hurts is the QB for the next 3 years so why waste your talent riding the bench only to transfer a year or 2 later? Bama has a roster full of 5 star QBs and most all usually transfer. This has never made any sense to me. They all want playing time and to go to the NFL. You cant so that riding the bench. There are plenty of schools in the SEC that need QBs. Why not go to one of them and show off your talent there? Even at Tucky or Vandy you will get the exposure to take you to the next level.
You make a good point about signing with a school that already has an equally talented and highly recruited young QB but think about it. If Fromm transfers after this year, he will not be able to play until 2019 unless he transfers to a Div 2 school, which he won’t. Eason could be the top pick in the 2019 draft and would probably take the money and leave after his junior year if that is the case. So the first year that Fromm could play after transferring would be his first year starting at Georgia if Eason leaves for the draft. He was born and raised in Georgia so I figure he will wait it out and probably get some playing time this year, more next year, and then start, as mentioned above, in 2019.