<![CDATA[One other JT Daniels thought]]>As a non-graduate transfer, Georgia’s newest quarterback isn’t eligible to play in the 2020 season without a waiver from the NCAA.  Seth Emerson ($$) wrote yesterday that Daniels does intend to apply for a waiver once he’s enrolled at UGA.

If that’s what he wants, more power to him, obviously, but speaking selfishly, it sure seems like it would be better for the program if Daniels didn’t get the waiver.  For one thing, there’s a question about his health.

Daniels is still less than a year removed from the knee injury that ended things right out of the gate. He wouldn’t have been a go in spring ball had it gone off, and part of the reason he’s transferring is because he likely wouldn’t have had the shot to beat out Kedon Slovis.

It’s not 100% certain that he’ll be 100% healthy by the time Georgia fall camp rolls around, either.

In a perfect world, Newman is fantastic, Daniels gets a full year to heal up and get ready to roll, and then the offense is his in 2021. But if there isn’t a season, then he gets the time off to get stronger and learn the system, Newman will be off to the NFL, and Georgia has its guy.

I assume, given the times, that Georgia hasn’t had the direct opportunity to evaluate the state of Daniels’ knee yet.  I would also assume that’s something of a concern until Courson can check it out and recommend if any further rehab is needed.

Beyond that, though, assuming that Newman is up to the job (that also being something the staff hasn’t really had the direct opportunity to evaluate), spacing out a line of succession from him in 2020 to Daniels in 2021 seems advantageous.  As far as what happens after 2021, Daniels would have two years of eligibility left once five-star Brock Vandagriff arrives on campus and you’d have to think there’s a legit chance Daniels doesn’t stay for both if he takes off as Georgia’s starter in 2021.

Where that leaves the three other scholarship quarterbacks on Georgia’s roster is a good question.  I’d have to think Smart has already taken the time to meet with them about their prospects.  I’d also have to think that with the roster being several players over the 85-man limit, one of them will be going into the transfer portal in the near future.  It’ll be a shame for the odd man out, but Kirby has shown he’s pretty relentless when it comes to roster management.  As I’ve already noted, he’s got a quarterback room in much better shape today than it was in January, and that’s what counts from his selfish standpoint.

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