Jamie Newman releases statement on why he’s opting out

Jamie Newman explains his decision for opting out of the Georgia football season.

Jamie Newman will not be Georgia football’s quarterback this fall after he opted out.

Rumors circulated on Wednesday afternoon the Wake Forest Demon Deacons graduate transfer was contemplating opting out of his redshirt senior season. Newman was seen as the No. 1 transfer quarterback on the market this past offseason, but coronavirus concerns and perhaps internal pressure from fellow transfer JT Daniels had something to do with his decision to opt-out.

Newman tweeted out his statement shortly after it was reported he was opting out. The man of faith prayed about what to do regarding this upcoming football season and has decided to do what is best for himself in opting out and entering the 2021 NFL Draft. Newman projects as a mid-to-late, first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Here is his official statement he posted Wednesday.

The Jamie Newman era of Georgia football comes to an end before it starts.

Even with Newman opting out, Georgia is in a great position to still contend for a national title. They have a ferocious defense that is coached up by head coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Georgia has always been able to run the ball. Todd Monken gives the offense a more modern approach with JT Daniels now emerging as the Dawgs’ Week 1 starter.

Though former Georgia backup quarterback Justin Fields could transfer back home, let’s not count on that happening. It shouldn’t matter the Heisman Trophy finalist was at Georgia practice back in late August. He’s a Kennesaw, Georgia native, still has a good relationship with Smart and what else is he going to do besides not play Big Ten football for the Ohio State Buckeyes this fall?

For now, Newman will begin the process of getting ready for the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine. Entering what would have been his final college season, Newman was drawing comparisons to former SEC stars and fellow transfer signal-callers in Jalen Hurts and Cam Newton. The combination of mobility, accuracy and big-time throws down the field were the genesis of them.

While Newman made the best decision for him, Dawg Nation will wonder what could have been.

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