Kirby Smart issues statement on Jamie Newman’s decision to opt out of 2020 season

The Georgia depth chart was shaken up on Wednesday afternoon, as Wake Forest graduate transfer QB Jamie Newman decided to opt out of the 2020 season amid COVID-19 concerns.

Newman was assumed by many to be the guy who would start in Week 1 against Arkansas, but now that won’t be the case, obviously.

After Georgia’s practice on Wednesday evening, coach Kirby Smart issued a statement on Newman’s decision, saying he supports any player who opts out due to health or safety concerns:

“One of the guiding principles of both the SEC and UGA return-to-play protocols has been the health and safety of our student-athletes,” Smart’s statement read. “We have emphasized continually that any student-athlete who decides to opt-out because of health and/or safety concerns related to COVID-19 would be fully supported to include honoring scholarships, access to academic facilities, etc., and would remain in good standing with the team. While we will miss him being part of our program, I fully support Jamie’s decision and we will continue to regard him as a Georgia Bulldog. Certainly we wish him nothing but the best in his quest for an NFL career and he knows he will always have a home at UGA.”

Now, the Bulldogs will have to see if JT Daniels — another transfer — will be cleared for contact in time to start Week 1. If not, D’Wan Mathis or Carson Beck will get the nod, most likely.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.