Graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman commits to Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia football needs a new quarterback following the departure of Jake Fromm to the 2020 NFL Draft, and Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman has entered the UGA quarterback derby.

Newman announced his commitment on Twitter.

This past season at Wake Forest, Newman completed 220 of 361 passes for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions. Newman also had a better passer-efficiency rating (145.35) than Fromm (141.15). Newman also added 574 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Wake Forest went 8-5 this past season.

Newman did struggle down the stretch for the Demon Deacons, as he completed less than 50 percent of his passes in four of Wake Forest’s final five games — but he compensated in two of those games with his running skills, rushing for 144 yards and 87 yards, respectively. Against a Clemson team with superior talent, Newman completed six of his 14 pass attempts for 42 yards and two interceptions.

Pro Football Focus did name Newman the No. 3 returning quarterback for the 2020 season, behind only Justin Fields of Ohio State and Trevor Lawrence of Clemson.

Related: Mark Richt on Jamie Newman: ‘I predict he will be the best quarterback in the SEC’

ESPN analyst David Pollack strongly endorsed the signal-caller, prior to his announcement that he was picking Georgia. “Amen!!! Dude is a stud! Size and athletic ability to go with a great arm, accuracy, and a phenomenal deep ball! Not many guys more talented in the Country.”

Newman also considered Maryland, Washington, Oregon and Miami, among others.

Kirby Smart is unlikely to publicly name a starter prior to Georgia’s 2020 season-opener. The Bulldogs take on Virginia in Atlanta as a part of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic on Sept. 7.

Jamie Newman Wake Forest highlights

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