Georgia’s Mark Richt remains uncertain about quarterback competition

ATHENS -- Three quarterbacks still stand, and no decision appears imminent.

That’s at least the takeaway Georgia head coach Mark Richt had following his program’s preseason scrimmage Saturday. Brice Ramsey, Greyson Lambert and Faton Bauta continued to take an equal amount of reps with the first, second and third teams in a race that, at least in public perception, hasn’t created much separation.

Following the scrimmage, Richt said he’s nowhere near being able to make a decision.

“Walking away from the practice, I feel like I know less about what to do than going in,” Richt said. “That’s just my first impression of it.”

With the decision process carrying on, the possibility of quarterbacks sharing time in Georgia’s season opener against Louisiana-Monroe remains strong. Richt said that’s not a preferred course of action, although it could be something the Bulldogs are forced to do.

“Is there a chance that we have two guys that rotate some reps? There’s a chance we decide that; I don’t know if we will,” Richt said. “I’d rather not do that. But if we’re stumped, and we don’t know, then all right, let’s play some ball. Let’s see what happens out on the field.”

In 2001, during Richt’s first season at Georgia, David Greene and Cory Phillips engaged in a quarterback competition that carried into the first week of the season. Greene “played exceptionally well,” as Richt said, in the season opener and won the job from that point.

Shades of that scenario appear to be playing out this year as the coaching staff is unable to pick a player with two weeks before the season starts.

“It was a situation where we weren’t sure,” Richt said. “Right this minute, I’m not sure. (Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) may feel different. Well, we may feel different after watching tape (Saturday), too.”

Richt has done his part to keep the details of this quarterback competition a secret.

Players have been reluctant to comment on it, with running back Keith Marshall previously saying that he wasn’t allowed to discuss it. After Saturday’s scrimmage, Richt said he would reveal some quarterback statistics, before smiling and relaying that walk-on Nick Robinson went 4-for-4 with the third team. Since Ramsey, Lambert and Bauta spoke with the media on the first day of preseason practice Aug. 4, they have not been available to talk about the competition.

Senior right tackle Kolton Houston, when asked about the situation, said each quarterback has shown he can make plays within this offensive scheme.

“Regardless of which quarterback it is, it’s not like those three quarterbacks are terrible,” Houston said. “They’re good quarterbacks. People are putting all this emphasis on the quarterback race, but it doesn’t matter which quarterback it is. All three are good. It’s not like we’re choosing from three bad quarterbacks.”

From a defensive perspective, senior defensive end Josh Dawson said each quarterback has performed well during the preseason.

“The coaches will have a hard decision,” Dawson said.

Richt said the rest of the team has adjusted to the three-quarterback race accordingly and that he doesn’t think any particular cliques have emerged, with some players preferring one over the other two.

The process might not have gone the way Richt would have hoped at this point. Stating he’s typically a patient person, not having an answer has taken somewhat of a toll. But at this stage, all Richt can do is wait for the process to play itself out.

“I would like to know so I can have some peace,” Richt said. “I’m waiting for some peace.”

This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Georgia’s Mark Richt remains uncertain about quarterback competition ."