Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman opting out of season; Justin Fields transfer speculation begins

A handful of big-name players have opted out of the 2020 college football season, but none of them were realistic Heisman candidates – not even star LSU All-American receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Only quarterbacks win the Heisman Trophy these days, and Georgia's Jamie Newman had been the third-favorite to win the 2020 award but he shocked the football world Wednesday by opting out as well.

Newman will have never taken a snap for the Dawgs as he was a graduate transfer from Wake Forest. He reportedly doesn't feel comfortable playing this year due to COVID-19 – the virus is raging at many universities – and will instead start preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft. Last year, Newman ranked second in the ACC in total offense with 286.8 yards per game and fifth in passing with 252.7 yards per game.

The CBS Sports Big Board ranks him as the No. 8 overall prospect for next year's draft and No. 3 quarterback behind Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State's Justin Fields. Three other Top-10 prospects also have opted out in Chase, Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman and Miami (Fla.) defensive end Gregory Rousseau.

On the bright side, Georgia has another high-profile transfer who is eligible immediately in former Southern Cal quarterback JT Daniels. He was the Trojans' starter as a freshman in 2018 and the opening starter last year but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. The former five-star recruit put his name in the transfer portal in April and announced UGA was his landing spot in late May.

Presumably, Daniels will start the Dawgs' opener on Sept. 26 vs. Arkansas. The other QBs on the roster are redshirt freshman D'Wan Mathis, true freshman Carson Beck and redshirt junior Stetson Bennett.

Also trending on Twitter right now: "Justin Fields." Of course, the Big Ten isn't playing fall football. Could Fields, who had been the 2020 Heisman Trophy favorite, actually transfer back from Ohio State and play in the fall? Seems like it's too late at this point, but Fields was in Athens this past weekend and did attend Georgia's scrimmage. Stay tuned!

William Hill sportsbook lists Georgia as a +240 second-favorite to win the SEC title. 

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