ATHENS — Georgia transfer quarterback JT Daniels will be cleared for the Bulldogs game against Auburn.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart made the announcement at his Monday press conference leading up to the battle of Top 10 teams at 7:30 p.m. game on Saturday (TV: ESPN) at Sanford Stadium.
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“JT will be cleared, but I don’t know how much that changes the picture in terms of reps and development, we’ll be looking at everybody across the board,” Smart said. “JT has got to be able to show us that he can function efficiently and do it with his knee being able to do it.
“We always thought he would be cleared by this time, anyway.”
Daniels, who was not cleared for the Arkansas game last Saturday, transferred to Georgia from USC in May and received a waiver for immediate eligibility.
The former 5-star quarterback has been cleared to practice with the team since arriving, wearing a protective knee brace. Georgia does not hit its quarterbacks in practices.
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Daniels suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the Trojans’ 2019 season opener and underwent surgery. He also underwent a clean-up procedure in January to remove scar tissue.
Smart explained that getting the knee cleared requires several tests and measurements.
“You’re looking for percentage strength index, biodex, testing, girth, his knee being closer to the same size as the other one. They measure to his ability to move around on that knee compared to the other knee, and they’ve been looking for certain barometers to be able to hit that number,” Smart said. “He was able to do that so that’s very fortunate for him.
“But he’s still got to prove to us that he can go out there and do that in the game-like situations, the practice-like situations, and that’s not easy to do during the week at times.”
Smart made it clear the Bulldogs have not yet determined who their starting quarterback will be for Auburn game.
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Redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis started in Georgia’s 37-10 win at Arkansas last Saturday, and redshirt junior Stetson Bennett came on in relief in the second quarter.
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Bennett had great success, completing 20 of 29 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
“I know you guys are going to want to ask the quarterback question, and you’ll ask it all week,” Smart said. “All I can tell you is we’re going to continue to work with all of the guys we’ve got and put the best guy in there that gives us the best opportunity to win football games.
“Those guys will all compete, as well as Carson (Beck), who will continue to grow at the quarterback position.”
Beck, a true freshman, traveled and dressed out for Arkansas but did not play in the win over the Razorbacks.
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