Georgia football: JT Daniels’ approach to 2021 should excite fans

Quarterback JT Daniels is approaching the 2021 college season with the Georgia football program the right way.

JT Daniels may be the unquestioned starting quarterback for the Georgia football team, but the former five-star recruit is going about his first full season as the starter in the right manner.

“I wouldn’t say different,” said head coach Kirby Smart after Georgia’s scrimmage Saturday. “JT has always been about his business. That’s JT. He’s very serious, he’s very into it. He has growth he can go through.”

“For him, continuity is important. You know, we haven’t had great continuity, with this back out, that receiver out. So, we’ve been ping-ponging guys around. That’s always tough. I think he’s asserted himself more in terms of command of the offense. Get the signal, get the motion, hurry up—we gotta go and get into the call.”

“There’s a lot of things that help you feel comfortable in terms of being able to call plays as an offensive coordinator, and he understands those things and does a good job.”

Daniels transferred from USC to Georgia last spring. After missing the first two-thirds of the season as he worked his way back from a torn ACL, Daniels took over the Dawgs offense and did stuff through the air Georgia had not seen since Aaron Murray was under center. Daniels could have turned pro after his redshirt sophomore season, but he opted to return to Georgia in 2021.

JT Daniels is not taking anything for granted as Georgia football’s quarterback

By Daniels pushing to be the very best he can be in Georgia uniform, it has brought out the best in his backup quarterbacks during spring practice. Stetson Bennett IV proved he is a capable starter from his time under center last year. While Brock Vandagriff has all the accolades coming out of nearby Prince Avenue Academy as a five-star recruit, sophomore Carson Beck has turned heads.

“Uh, yeah, all three of them are getting reps, and all three are going to be really good players. They continue to work hard. They all got reps today. I think each one has a different strength, and each one has a different weakness. You know, I mean, for each one, they’re growing,” said Smart.

“Brock has the least amount of reps and, I guess, familiarity with the offense, so his learning curve is greater. But he’s also picking it up quick, especially for a mid-year freshman. Stetson does a good job in the pocket; he moves, he’s athletic, he understands the offense, and he can do things with his frame, because he’s taken a lot of reps. Then Carson has done a good job this spring.”

Overall, what you have to like about Daniels’ approach to this upcoming season is that he is not taking it for granted. The last time he played a full season in college football was in 2018 when he was a true freshman at USC. To lose your starting job to Kedon Slovis due to injury had to be tough to deal with. Having to wait to be medically cleared by the Georgia medical staff was even tougher.

If Daniels is all business when it comes to leading this offense, then Dawg Nation should be trilled.

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