Georgia transfer quarterback Jamie Newman is opting out of the 2020 college football season, he confirmed via Twitter on Wednesday.
Newman confirmed reports that his reason for opting out is because of COVID-19, adding that he will now focus on the 2021 NFL Draft.
🙏🏽. #GODSPLAN pic.twitter.com/1LMOi1lydF
— Jamie Newman (@jlmn12_) September 2, 2020
MORE: Notable opt outs for 2020
Newman was Sporting News' top-ranked transfer quarterback for 2020. He transferred from Wake Forest, where he totaled 2,868 passing yards, 574 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns last season. He was expected to take the starting job left by veteran quarterback Jake Fromm, who led Georgia to the SEC championship game the past three seasons.
Newman isn't the only SEC impact player who opted out this week. LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who won the Biletnikoff Award last year, opted out Sunday.
Georgia does have another possible transfer option. Former USC quarterback JT Daniels is eligible to play right away, though Georgia has not yet cleared him for contact; the former 5-star quarterback in the class of 2018 suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2019 season-opener. Daniels played in 11 games as a freshman at USC in 2018 and passed for 2,672 yards and 14 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Redshirt junior Stetson Bennett also is on the depth chart.
The starter will work with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who had the same position with the NFL's Cleveland Browns in 2019. Georgia opens its season Sept. 26 at Arkansas.
