Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman (9) during the Bulldogs’ practice in Athens, Ga., on Mon., Aug. 17, 2020. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith)
ATHENS, Ga. - UGA graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman announced he is opting out of the 2020 college football season.
"Due to the uncertainties of this year amid a global pandemic," Newman wrote he is opting out of the season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.
He also thanked the Bulldogs coaching staff and said in part that he remained "hopeful and excited about what the future holds."
Newman figured to be the Bulldogs' starting quarterback this season, in part due to his experience at Wake Forest, from which he graduate transferred this January.
Now, it looks like the quarterback job may go to former USC quarterback JT Daniels, who also transferred to UGA this offseason. Daniels had not been cleared for contact in practice as recently as last week.
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He is the first Bulldog to opt out of the season. UGA has not commented on Newman's status as of Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement sent to FOX 5, Georgia football Head Coach Kirby Smart said:
"One of the guiding principles of both the SEC and UGA return-to-play protocols has been the health and safety of our student-athletes. We have emphasized continually that any student-athlete who decides to opt-out because of health and/or safety concerns related to COVID-19 would be fully supported to include honoring scholarships, access to academic facilities, etc., and would remain in good standing with the team.
While we will miss him being part of our program, I fully support Jamie’s decision and we will continue to regard him as a Georgia Bulldog. Certainly we wish him nothing but the best in his quest for an NFL career and he knows he will always have a home at UGA.”
The 6-foot-4 230-pound Newman completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 2,868 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season for the Demon Deacons. He also had 180 carries for 570 yards and six scores.