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What we’ve learned about the Georgia football offensive players so far in camp
Georgia football continues to practice and prepare for the upcoming 2020 season. Much of the focus so far has been on the new-look offense, as the Bulldogs must replace a number of key pieces from last season’s team, including quarterback Jake Fromm, running back D’Andre Swift and offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson.
The Bulldogs will have a number of new faces, such as offensive coordinator Todd Monken, quarterbacks Jamie Newman and JT Daniels. There’s also the expectation for the likes of bigger names such as George Pickens and Zamir White to take on even bigger roles.
Below we’ve compiled everything that coaches and players have said this preseason about some of the offensive players and what their plans are for the 2020 season.
Quarterback Jamie Newman: “Jamie Newman had a mid-foot sprain and was out for a little bit of our summer access period, we are calling it a mini-camp, whatever OTAs, whatever you want to reference it as. He missed probably half of that, not able to work out and do some things, but he was mentally there and able to do a lot of things with the team. He is back now and able to do everything.” — Kirby Smart on Jamie Newman’s status at the start of camp.
“He does a really good job of standing behind the huddle, standing behind the play, imaginary taking the snap, getting the mental reps, but until you get out there and do it, it’s not as easy. He was able to do that around the 9th or 10th, he was able to go out there and do some things with us.” — Smart on what Newman was able to do in the offseason.
“Just him being confident and learning the plays each and every day. Just him wanting to be there and wanting to learn everything. I mean, he is a pretty good guy to me.” — Trey Hill on what he’s seen from Newman.
“Jamie has a strong arm. All our quarterbacks have a strong arm. They have been competing well and everybody has come out each and every day wanting to compete. Each of them is fighting for the starting job right now.” — Kearis Jackson on Newman.
“But the one thing I would say about Jamie is he is a better thrower. Everybody talked about his athleticism but he’s a better thrower than people think.” Offensive coordinator Todd Monken on Newman.
Quarterback JT Daniels: “JT Daniels is not cleared yet. JT Daniels is coming off an ACL surgery as well. He has been able to take some reps, he has been able to throw the ball and do some things, but he is not completely cleared from the knee yet. He will still be in a brace for that.” — Smart on Daniels’ status to start camp.
“When he became available, he went in the portal and we reached out, and he returned the favor and said he would be interested. We communicated for a while, for a long time, not knowing which direction we were headed I’m a big believer in getting the best people on the team you can get, and have competition, and iron sharpens iron. But that room is going to be very competitive, and we’re excited to see where it goes.” — Smart on bringing Daniels in from USC.
“He strikes me as a guy who’s really confident. I feel like he knows what he can do, is really confident in his arm and how he can control the offense. He carries himself a certain way, and I can appreciate that as an offensive guy, for sure.” — Jamaree Salyer on what he’s seen so far from Daniels.
“JT is a very talented guy. I haven’t really seen him sling it like that, only a little bit. I’m ready for him, just like everyone else to go out there and show what they got.” — Richard LeCounte on Daniels.
“I think JT is a better athlete (than people think). So obviously there’s film of both of those guys, JT is a young player at USC throwing the football.” — Monken on JT Daniels.
Related: Teammates, Kirby Smart discuss what JT Daniels will bring to Georgia football quarterback battle
Quarterback D’Wan Mathis: “D’Wan, his athleticism to his arm talent as he continues to develop.” — Monken on Mathis.
Quarterback Carson Beck: “Carson coming in during the spring and he was here for the bowl game, you can see a lot of things that you like, from the throwing end of it to his athleticism.” — Monken on Beck.
Related: WATCH: Georgia football OC Todd Monken shares concepts, QB priorities
Running back Zamir White: “Zamir has I think had a tremendous offseason, as has James Cook.” — Monken on White and Cook.
“I have to carry on that tradition,” White said. “I got to be the next guy up to keep that going. I just have to keep on working hard and follow my teammates and make sure the next guys up are prepared. I got to be that leader and just step up and just be that guy now.” — White on how he is getting ready for the 2020 season.
“Coach Dell (McGee) pushes me about being a mobile back and being a catching back. Just being the first, second, third-down back. I just got to work on my catching and stuff like that but I’m going to get it down. I’m definitely going to get it down.” — White on taking on a bigger role.
Related: Zamir White vows to uphold ‘RBU’ legacy for UGA this season
Running back Kenny McIntosh: “Came in last year and had a really good start to his career last year, a really versatile player, can do a lot of things running and catching the ball out of the backfield.” — Monken on McIntosh.
Wide receiver Kearis Jackson: “I feel like I had to face adversity and I feel like that’s all I’ve been doing since I got here. I fell like I’ve overcome most of my injuries and bounced back really well. Just been able to work hard in practice and push guys around me and stay motivated.” — Jackson on overcoming injuries.
“Kearis Jackson has been a relative surprise in terms of his consistency and the way he’s played and developed.” Monken on Jackson.
Wide receiver Dominick Blaylock: “He is not completely cleared to practice or play. He is going to have a black shirt on. He is working out. He is coming off his ACL that occurred in the SEC Championship game, so he is not completely cleared yet, but he has worked really hard. He has been able to do some straight-line running and some workout stuff.” — Smart on the status of Blaylock to start practice.
Wide receiver Arian Smith: “Arian Smith had a meniscus repair and should be back sometime during the season but not sure exactly what date yet.” — Smart on Smith’s status to start practice.
Related: LOOK: Freshman WR Justin Robinson continues to make plays at UGA practice
Tight end Darnell Washington: “Darnell Washington had a small scope in his knee. It was from an injury in high school that he is back out there and recovered from and practicing, doing everything.” — Smart on Washington’s status to start practice
Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer: “For me, I just knew the weight thing was going to be a huge contributor to where I could go. It would raise my potential. My goal going into quarantine was to kind of raise my potential, to raise the bar for myself. Knowing that I could play guard, knowing I could play tackle, knowing I could play anything; I knew I could play all those positions at a much higher level if I lost the weight.” Salyer on his weight loss.
“Just basically, him being a hard-worker. I mean, him working hard and coming every day—him just showing a purpose that he wants to be out there. I mean, you can’t say that he is a young guy because he really is an experienced guy. He has just had someone in front of him. Jamaree has worked his tail off to where he is today.” — Hill on Salyer and what he can bring to the offensive line this year.
Related: Jamaree Salyer explains why it’s so important to him to play for UGA this season
“Jamaree is a great player. He has the length the power and the strength, all the tools you need in a tackle. He’s a beast.” — Azeez Ojulari on Jamaree Salyer and how he’ll handle the move to tackle.
Offensive lineman Broderick Jones: “Broderick Jones had an injury — non-football injury — he has recovered from that and he’s back out taking snaps, taking reps, and has been with us working.” Smart on Jones’ status to start practice.
Offensive lineman Tate Ratledge: “Tate Ratledge is a really good player. He’s got flashes of athleticism when you see him running, and it’s like, ‘Wow, this kid can really move.'” — Salyer on Ratledge impressing so far.
Offensive lineman Warren Ericson: “I took it as a learning experience. It was a great opportunity and I loved every second of it. Some say I played well and I thank them for that but I want to focus on the things I did not do well and I want to improve on those things. Hopefully, the things I can improve on will translate into this upcoming season.” — Ericson on how playing in the Sugar Bowl helped him.
More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation
- Georgia football DB ranks thinning, member of 2020 signing class not with team
- Georgia football sends ‘energy’ message with Matt Luke, Scott Cochran contract extensions
- Georgia football podcast: UGA’s big recruiting weekend really seemed to bother Ed Orgeron
- Todd Monken details the most important traits he’s looking for in UGA’s quarterbacks
- Instincts and playmaking help land Richard LeCounte earn preseason All-American honors
- Georgia football podcast: Eric Stokes predicts more recruiting wins on the way for UGA
- Georgia OC Todd Monken shares thoughts on UGA skill players, including a ‘relative surprise’
- WATCH: Georgia football OC Todd Monken shares concepts, QB priorities
- WATCH: Former LSU star shares insights into playing in Todd Monken pass scheme
