Georgia quarterback battle: Odds favor Jamie Newman beating out JT Daniels
With JT Daniels being ruled eligible by the NCAA, Georgia suddenly has a very intriguing QB battle between him and Jamie Newman.
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With Georgia's football team set to open fall camp, all eyes will be on the Dawgs' quarterback battle between a couple of transfers: Jamie Newman and JT Daniels. Could either continue the trend in college football of transfer quarterbacks winning the Heisman Trophy? It was presumed that Newman, formerly of Wake Forest, would be the Dawgs' starter this season with Jake Fromm off to the NFL. Newman remains a +1000 third-favorite on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook to become the first QB in school history to win the Heisman, but it's no longer such a sure thing he's even the starter.
That's because in a bit of a surprise, the NCAA ruled that the Southern Cal transfer Daniels was eligible to play immediately, which now gives UGA the most intriguing quarterback battle in the SEC if not the country – assuming there even is a college football season.
Daniels started for USC as a very touted true freshman in 2018, completing 59.5 percent of his passes for 2,672 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 picks. He opened last season as the starter too but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 vs. Fresno State. Kedon Slovis replaced him and played extremely well, which likely was a driving force behind Daniels transferring to Georgia in May. He is not a Heisman Trophy betting option as of now at William Hill.
Newman was immediately eligible as a graduate transfer from the ACC's Demon Deacons and brings a running option that Daniels doesn't. Newman rushed 180 times for 574 yards and six touchdowns last year. Daniels has rushed for negative -155 yards on 48 career carries.
Newman has the edge in terms of learning offensive coordinator Todd Monken's playbook because Newman has been at Georgia since January, and UGA "recruited" Newman pretty hard. However, the Dawgs didn't have any spring practice because of the coronavirus pandemic. Daniels is a much more accurate passer.
College football expert Phil Steele gives the starting edge to Newman. Georgia is scheduled to open the season Sept. 26 vs. an SEC opponent TBA with the conference going to a 10-game, league-only slate.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Who will be Georgia's starting quarterback for the team's Sept. 26 opener?
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