Tough call ahead for Smart, UGA coaches on starting quarterback

Not often does a true freshman quarterback step on campus and become a program’s starter, especially at a major-conference program like Georgia.

There’s a huge difference between high school football and the intricacies of the game at the college level. Offenses are more complex and ensuring everyone has their correct assignment a ton of playbook and film study.

The Bulldogs could be in position to go with true freshman Jacob Eason as its starting quarterback in 2016. But if he doesn’t start the season-opener against North Carolina, he’s almost sure to see a series or two, simply because it’s imperative to his development that he earns game reps early on.

Eason enters Georgia as one of the most highly-decorated high school quarterbacks it’s ever recruited. He was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Maxwell Club Player of the Year and the Bobby Dodd Back of the Year. He’s already wowed both his coaches and teammates in practice with the arm strength he possesses.

Even so, starting a true freshman quarterback in the SEC is tough, given the nuances involved.

"If you look over the history of the league, it hasn’t happened very often – especially when you talk about the first game of the season," head coach Kirby Smart said.

Only three times since 1990 has Georgia started a true freshman in 50 percent or more of its games during a football season – Eric Zeier (1991), Quincy Carter (1998) and Matthew Stafford (2006). David Greene and Aaron Murray both redshirted their first years on campus before starting four consecutive years.

Carter was the only quarterback of the three who earned the job going into his season-opener, although he was two years removed from high school and playing minor league baseball before heading to college.

Carter had success throwing the ball in his first season, totaling 2,489 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Zeier earned six starts to total 1,984 yards and 7 touchdowns. Stafford, who made seven starts in 2006, struggled the most out of the three as he amassed 1,749 yards, 7 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

All three quarterbacks went on to be drafted by NFL franchises, with Stafford going No. 1 overall to the Detroit Lions in 2009.

Murray, following a redshirt year in 2009, went on to become the SEC’s career leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He said the benefit of having a year under his belt was crucial since he could sit back and learn on the job. Eason won’t have that luxury, barring unforeseen circumstances. But Murray said redshirting was huge for his development at the position.

"I had another year to learn the playbook," Murray said. "It’ll be interesting to see what they do. Obviously, if (Eason) goes out there and earns the job and it’s obvious, I’m sure the coaches will give him the nod and go from there."

Playing early in the SEC is tougher than most conferences given the kind of defenses teams face week in and week out. In 2015, four SEC teams – Alabama (No. 3), Missouri (No. 6), Georgia (No. 7), Florida (No. 8) all finished in the top 10 nationally in total defense. LSU (No. 25), Vanderbilt (No. 28) and Tennessee (No. 36) were all in the top 40.

Eason has the talent and potential to be the face of Georgia’s program while enrolled on campus. But if senior Greyson Lambert or junior Brice Ramsey do enough to win and hold on to the job, perhaps Eason’s development can grow in a backup role.

Then again, Eason’s talent and ability may be too much to pass over by the time the first month of the season concludes. As for Georgia’s Sept. 3 season-opener against North Carolina, it will be a difficult call for Smart and the coaching staff to make.

"It’s tough on any quarterback but it’s really tough on a true freshman to come in and do that," Smart said. "I certainly think it can be done. I think you have to have a good surrounding cast to do that. Hypothetically, it’s a challenge for sure."

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 12:25 PM with the headline "Tough call ahead for Smart, UGA coaches on starting quarterback."