There’s been some thought that Georgia could carry its quarterback competition into the start of the season, and let real games decide the starter. Brian Schottenheimer threw some cold water on that Wednesday.
“I wouldn’t think so. We expect somebody will come out of this deal as a winner,” said Schottenheimer, the first-year quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. “Coach (Mark) Richt and I both believe that you need to find one guy. Now we’ve gootta make sure we find the right guy.”
That could be Brice Ramsey or Faton Bauta, with Jacob Park still a possibility as well. And it could also be Greyson Lambert, who will transfer from Virginia to join the Bulldogs.
The fact Georgia is recruiting Lambert, and at least kicked the tires on Everett Golson, raised plenty of eyebrows. Schottenheimer, speaking to the media for the first time since Jan. 9, the day he was introduced at Georgia, said it was to “create competition.”
Schottenheimer also cited his time with the St. Louis Rams, when injuries reduced his options.
“You’re talking to someone who was in the NFC West the past two years playing with just two or three quarterbacks, unfortunately,” Schottenheimer said. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s quarterback, whether it’s offensive line, we’re trying to create competition. That leads to guys raising their level of play.”
When asked what he’s looking for from the quarterbacks, the first thing Schottenheimer said was leadership. He wants to see them around the building, he added, and has been “pleasantly surprised” at their work ethic.
“If those guys continue to make the strides that they made over the spring and the summer … I feel like we’ll have a quarterback that can help us win at Georgia,” Schottenheimer said. “Somebody will grab the reins. That’s what we expect to happen from the group.”
Non-quarterback matters
- Regarding the new players, including the receivers, Schottenheimer compared it to getting a new set of golf clubs, and the excitement of being able to use them.
“The competition at that spot is going to be fun,” he said of the receivers.
Terry Godwin has been compared to Tavon Austin, a young and dynamic receiver who Schottenheimer had with the Rams.
“There’s things that we can envision him doing. We’ve already expressed that to him,” Schottenheimer said. “We moved Tavon to a lot of spots, he played a lot of different spots. That’s a big challenge to Terry, and soome of those other guys, to learn the playbook and have the ability to play the other spots. We tell the receivers, if you only play one spot it’s easier for the defense to find you.”
- Schottenheimer said there are a “couple good candidates” at center. Brandon Kublanow is learning to snap as the team mulls moving him from left guard. Schottenheimer also spoke highly of sophomore Isaiah Wynn, who finished spring as the first team center, but would move to left guard if Kublanow wins the job. Hunter Long also remains a candidate at both guard and center.
- Yes, Nick Chubb’s name was brought up.
“Who?” Schottenheimer quipped. “The work ethic he displays on the field, just the way he practices, I’ve been around a few people who work like that. He’s very mature beyond his years.”
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