Kirby Smart provides insight into Georgia’s recruitment of graduate transfer QB Jamie Newman
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Following Jake Fromm’s early departure from Georgia to the NFL, there was a short time where it appeared Kirby Smart’s program would not have an experienced signal-caller on the roster heading into spring camp. At least, that was the outside perspective on Georgia’s situation under center.
In reality, while the Georgia program would have welcomed Fromm back to the team for his senior season, the Bulldogs did not sit idly by waiting for the junior to make his NFL decision. No, according to Smart, Georgia had been researching potential transfer to replace Fromm in the event that the junior declared early for the NFL.
Soon after Fromm did just that, the Bulldogs landed Newman.
During his National Signing Day press conference on Wednesday, Smart was asked to shed insight into Georgia’s recruitment of the former Wake Forest quarterback.
“We had researched the entire year with the thought that Jake would have the opportunity to come out early,” Smart said. “So we had a pool of 30 to 40 guys that would be potential whether they were transfers, whether they were grad transfers, whatever it may be, we knew we could be possibly be in the quarterback market. That included high school kids.
“Certainly, we are excited about (2020 QB signee/early enrollee) Carson (Beck) and what he can do for our team. He came in and got to practice with us for the bowl game, for a couple of practices as well. Once Jamie went into the portal and we knew that he was going to be a graduate transfer, we started communication immediately. It was a process of finding out if what he wanted aligned with what we wanted, and also wait and see what Jake was going to do.
“I know Jamie has been very mature about the process. He is — these grad-transfers, number one, the fact they have graduated college and he graduated from Wake Forest, these kids understand what they want. They are very driven in what they want. They’re not really into the whole recruiting process. He handled it that way and was very professional about it. We are looking forward to putting him to work and letting him go out and compete this spring.”
During his time with Wake Forest, Newman started for nearly two seasons and threw for 3,959 yards and 35 touchdowns while rushing for another 826 yards and 10 scores. If you want to get an idea of what Newman brings to Georgia’s football program, check out this film study on his career at Wake Forest.
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
