Georgia graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman opted out of the 2020 season, he announced on social media Wednesday.
Newman transferred to Georgia after a career at Wake Forest and was expected to be the Bulldogs' starting quarterback this season. He now will prepare for the 2021 NFL draft and leaves Georgia with a huge hole to fill at the important position just weeks before the season opener.
Georgia is set to open the season Sept. 26 at Arkansas and had yet to announce a starter.
In a post announcing his decision after news of the move broke, Newman wrote: "With much prayer and discussion with my family I would like to announce that due to the uncertainties of this year amid a global pandemic I will officially opt out of this football season to prepare for the upcoming 2021 NFL draft.
"I would like to thank coach (Kirby) Smart for extending the opportunity for me to be a part of the University of Georgia football program. Although my time has been short I've built some great relationships and I've had a chance to continue my development.
"As I prepare for the journey ahead, I remain hopeful and excited about what the future holds especially during these challenging times in our world."
Newman, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from Graham, N.C., announced his decision to attend Georgia in January.
Georgia has been working out and practicing since a return to campus following a shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Newman took snaps with the first-team offense in Georgia's scrimmage Saturday. He was followed by sophomore J.T. Daniels, a transfer from USC. Redshirt freshman D'wan Mathis and freshman Carson Beck also got snaps with the No. 1 offense. Junior Stetson Bennett did not.
"The reps came out pretty balanced other than Stetson had fewer," coach Kirby Smart said. "But we've seen Stetson. We know a lot more about Stetson in terms of his time spent with us last year."
Smart said too much shouldn't be read into the QB rotation at the time. While Daniels got a lot of work Saturday, Smart said he is still not cleared for contact and couldn't play in a game at this point.
"I don't think anybody's separated," Smart assessed of the quarterbacks. "As far as a timetable for that, I don't have one."
Perhaps coincidentally, former Georgia quarterback Justin Fields, who played last season at Ohio State, was reportedly at the scrimmage Saturday. The Big Ten has announced that it will not play football this fall. Fields played one season at Georgia, playing behind Jake Fromm, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills this year.
Last season, Newman completed 61% of 361 passes for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns with 11 interceptions in 13 games for Wake Forest, which went 8-5. He also had 574 yards on 180 rushing attempts (including sacks) and six scores.
He played in six games in 2018, starting four, and he completed 59.8% of his passes for 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns with four interceptions. He had another four touchdowns and 247 yards rushing. He leaves Wake Forest with 4,785 yards total offense and 45 scores.
