Athens — Jeremy Jacob came to Georgia last year as a four-star basketball recruit. He left without anyone knowing whether he was worthy of that distinction.

Jacob, a 6-foot-7 forward from Baton Rouge, La., officially quit the men's team on Monday. However, the transfer process was initiated early last week and head coach Dennis Felton and assistant coach Desmond Oliver, who recruited Jacob, spent the better part of the past week trying to dissuade him.

Jacob, who will have four years of eligibility remaining, initially intends to transfer to Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., before moving on to another Division I program, possibly a mid-major.

Reached by telephone Monday, Felton declined to get into specifics of Jacob's transfer beyond a statement released through the school. "I just don't have anything else to say about it," he said.

But playing time — or the possible lack thereof — was the impetus for Jacob leaving.

In the news release, Felton said: "Jeremy has expressed an interest in playing for a program where he can play a more prominent role than he believes he will play at Georgia. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time together. We wish Jeremy the very best for his future."

Jacob, who was in good academic standing, would have been a redshirt freshman this year. He received a medical redshirt last season. He would have been competing for playing time in the front line with returning starters Albert Jackson and Jeremy Price along with sophomore reserve Chris Barnes and highly-touted freshman signee Trey Thompkins.

However, all indications were that Jacob would have been able to compete. Jacob, who Georgia was training as a "combo forward," averaged 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in limited play before a stress fracture in his left foot sidelined him after only six games last season. He spent the rest of the season rehabbing.

Jacob's departure continues a disturbing trend of attrition under Felton. Jacob is the fifth player from last year's team that has either quit or been dismissed. The others were forward Takais Brown (dismissed), guard Mike Mercer (dismissed), center Rashaad Singleton (transfer) and guard Billy Humphrey (dismissed). That makes more than a dozen that have left without completing their eligibility during Felton's five-year tenure.

Felton said it's a sign of the times.

"The numbers continue to rise and I think they were record-breaking in college basketball this year," Felton said. "In the game of basketball there is a certain level of lack of patience. It's not just whether I can get to the NBA, but how fast. Players are under a lot of pressure from parents and agents to distinguish themselves and try to stand out as soon as possible. The thing is, the same guys make the NBA, and those are the most talented ones and the ones that work hardest."

Neither Jacob nor members of his family could be reached for comment.

Jacob came to Georgia from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia where he averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds and was considered one of the top prep-school prospects in the country. Rivals.com rated him four out of five stars.