Now that the drama is over, the decisions made, we know Jacob Eason will be a Georgia Bulldog in 2016.

Beyond that?

Well, we know what fans are expecting — nothing short of Matthew Stafford. We know what current Georgia Bulldogs are thinking — they’re already calling Eason their “little bro” and “future quarterback.”

Here’s something few might know: the future most likely will have to wait.

According to a terrific study from nola.com and adjusted to include this season, from 2000-2015, just 45 SEC quarterbacks attempted more than 10 passes as true freshman.

The numbers — and names — should help reset expectations swirling around Eason’s arrival.

  • Tyler Bray threw 18 TD passes as a true freshman, most in that span.  Just five true freshmen reached double figures.
  • Chris Leak threw for 2,435 yards as a true freshman, most in that span. Just two others topped 1,500 yards.
  • None of this season’s true freshmen QBs came close to either of the lower bars.
  • Matthew Stafford, one of the greatest QB in UGA history, threw for 1,749 yards with 7 TDs and 13 interceptions as a true freshman.
  • Aaron Murray, whom some regard as the greatest QB in UGA history, didn’t even play as a true freshman.

This isn’t basketball. True freshman almost never are their team’s best player. True freshman QBs rarely start, much less star.

Among the talented SEC QBs who, like Murray, sat as true freshman? Eli Manning, Tim Tebow, Dak Prescott, Johnny Manziel, Andre Woodson, Rex Grossman, etc., etc.

Georgia won’t have the luxury of red-shirting Eason, and he won’t have the luxury of learning behind a future NFL QB, which is what Murray did.

Eason is arriving early to learn the offense and give himself every opportunity to lead the Bulldogs on opening day. There won’t be much resistance.

Georgia fired Mark Richt because the program grew stale. It hired Kirby Smart because it wanted new energy. Nothing energizes a fan base more than signing a 5-star QB.

Nick Chubb and Sony Michel and the Bulldogs’ stable of other elite running backs absolutely will determine their fate next season, but the opening day roar in Athens might never get louder than the first time Eason is introduced with the starters.

Just know that there might be series, quarters and perhaps games between that jolt of energy and the next time he earns those cheers with his play.

Which will make him like just about every other true freshman quarterback who has played in this league.

Eason might get to 3,000 yards and 25 TDs, but history screams it won’t happen happen in 2016 and probably not even 2017.

Let’s just hope, for his sake, Georgia fans are listening.