Georgia head coach Kirby Smart again states he doesn't know who will start at quarterback

Kirby Smart knew everyone in the crowd, like anyone who follows Georgia football, had two questions. Therefore, the Georgia head coach pre-emptively answered them before anyone else could.

The first question centered on who will start at quarterback this season between Greyson Lambert, Brice Ramsey and Jacob Eason. The second was whether running back Nick Chubb, coming off a major knee injury, will be 100 percent healthy for the start of the year.

Smart, forbidding those two questions before opening the floor to fans in attendance at the Macon Touchdown Club Spring Jamboree, had three words in response to the questions he asked himself.

"I don't know," he said.

Both times Smart said that, the crowd at The Methodist Home's Rumford Center laughed. Chubb's injury is one thing, considering it is way too early in his recovery to truly tell when he will return to football activities. As for the starting quarterback job, this isn't the first time Smart has commented on it. And each time he has spoken on the topic, he has been consistent with his answer, despite what public opinion might be when it comes to the position.

Smart only has been focused on Georgia since January, after helping Alabama win the national championship against Clemson. He mostly has dealt with recruiting and only has evaluated the quarterbacks based on film from the 2015 season. Spring practice will be the first time Smart gets a chance to see the quarterbacks perform in person.

It's unknown what kind of rotation Smart will use with the quarterbacks when spring practices begin March 15.

"We have three guys competing for one job," Smart said. "We're going to play the best guy who is going to give us the best chance to win."

Lambert started 12 of Georgia's 13 games in 2015 and threw for 1,959 yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. Ramsey served as his backup, and Eason is a five-star prospect who has been seen as a legitimate competitor for the starting job.

Smart, who has expressed concern about his offensive line, said he has been pleased with how the group has performed during offseason workouts. That, perhaps, was the first time he publicly has said anything positive about the group, although with one caveat.

"I wish there were more of them, and I wish they were bigger," Smart said.

Smart was scheduled to arrive before 6 p.m. on Monday but showed up a tad late. During the first part of his speech, Smart explained how he's holding his players to a high standard year round. He then mentioned he was unable to board his plane in time because some players weren't giving their best effort during a particular strength and conditioning session.

"I had some guys during offseason workouts who didn't want to work," Smart said.

Smart didn't name the players or elaborate as to whether any disciplinary measures were taken.

Smart's special assistant, Mike Cavan, introduced him before his speech and Q&A session. By the end of the introduction, Cavan said he has seen more energy around the program than he has in a long time.

"I promise you, I've never seen the excitement at the University of Georgia like it is right now," Cavan said.

Smart began his speech at around 7:40 p.m. and talked for more than 30 minutes. He actually appeared like he would talk longer before being told by a Macon Touchdown Club representative that the program was coming to a close.

Georgia hired Smart to be its head coach in December, just a week after athletics director Greg McGarity decided to fire Mark Richt, who spent 15 years with the program. Monday marked Smart's first public appearance in Macon. He's scheduled to make another at the Minority Coaches Associated of Georgia meeting in Columbus on Friday.

In a message the Macon Touchdown Club relayed, Smart decided not to speak with reporters after his appearance due to a meeting he needed to get to. He did take a few pictures with fans shortly before taking off.

Smart wasn't the only person with connections to Georgia's 2016 team in attendance. Recognized as part of the Macon Touchdown Club's Super Seven were Jackson defensive tackle Michail Carter and Upson-Lee defensive lineman David Marshall. Both players signed national letters-of-intent with Georgia and will enroll at the university this summer.

Carter said he enjoyed Smart's speech and developed a bond with him during the recruiting process.

"Most coaches are uptight and think more of the business side," Carter said. "Coach Smart is laid back and chill. I feel comfortable talking to him about anything."

Lee County defensive lineman Aubrey Solomon and Vidalia inside linebacker Nate McBride, both juniors, were also part of the Super Seven and are being recruited by Smart.

Warner Robins cornerback Marquez Callaway (Tennessee) and Dooly County defensive end Antonneous Clayton (Florida) were other seniors named to the Super Seven. Houston County quarterback Jake Fromm, a junior who has committed to Alabama, was named the Elmo A. Richardson Player of the Year. Fromm received an offer from Smart shortly after he took over for Richt.

Smart, who was paid to speak at the jamboree, donated his check to The Methodist Home.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 8:56 PM with the headline "Georgia head coach Kirby Smart again states he doesn't know who will start at quarterback ."