Georgia freshman Jacob Eason thinks he could get the call to start in the season opener Saturday against North Carolina, according to his personal quarterback trainer who has worked with him since before his sophomore season at Lake Stevens High in Washington state.
Advertisement
“He’s been cleared”, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart said during his weekly news conference Monday, via ESPN. In just five-plus games in 2015, he rushed for 747 yards (8.1 YPC) and seven touchdowns. “He won’t technically be on a pitch count by any means”.
Chubb being back to full strength is remarkable, considering he is just eight months removed from a gruesome knee injury at Tennessee last October.
Backup Sony Michel’s status is still unknown after he fractured his left forearm during the Fourth of July Weekend. You’ve got to go out there and fight every day for a spot. If you’re old enough to play, then you’re old enough to start.
Smart was salty. Most of the questions he entertained during the 20-minute, question-and-answer were met with short, terse answers. “We’ll continue to get those guys reps, and get both of them ready to play”. Junior Brice Ramsey has performed well in practice, Smart said, but the other two have distanced themselves from him of late. “First thing we have to do is figure out who’s taking the first snap before we worry about the next guy coming in”. Only two of the spots of uncertainty for the Tar Heels are for starters. “He’s probably the best quarterback that nobody knows about, because in my mind it’s nearly like he’s a returning starter because of what he played early in the year, and the guy does a really good job with offense”. “We saw that since day one”. Alas, it appears who starts at quarterback will be a game-time decision, like most positions actually. On playing young players “We’re going to play the guy who gives us the best opportunity to win”.
“Am I an OR guy?” center Brandon Kublanow asked reporters.
Only 11 players overall were listed as undisputed starters. “He goes, ‘I feel like I can be the guy”.
The 40-year-old Smart is out to change that. He’ll play on Saturday, which has been apparent for awhile.
Advertisement
Sophomore wide receiver Terry Godwin says Eason’s work ethic has endeared him to the team. Rochester was arrested along with now-dismissed defensive back Chad Clay in April on felony charges of possessing a weapon (BB gun) in a school zone and second-degree criminal damage to property.
