JT Daniels enters transfer portal: Georgia QB, former five-star prospect to explore options as grad transfer

Wed, Jan 19, 2022
NCAAF News (AP)

Georgia quarterback JT Daniels has entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer following a two-year stint in Athens, according to247Sports' Chris Hummer. Daniels will be classified as a redshirt senior at his next stop, but he has two years of eligibility remaining thanks to the NCAA's blanket waiver from COVID-19.

Daniels entered the 2021 season as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback and led a 10-3 Week 1 victory over then-No. 3 Clemson behind 135 yards passing. However, Daniels became limited for much of the season after suffering multiple injuries to his midsection that affected his ability to throw. He completed 72.3% of passes for 722 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions in five appearances.

Stetson Bennett IV ultimately held onto the starting job in Daniels' absence and led the Bulldogs to their first national championship since 1980.

Daniels arrived at Georgia in the spring of 2020 after transferring in from USC, where he similarly suffered from injury issues that led to the team going in another direction at quarterback. Daniels sustained a season-ending knee injury in 2019, which led to the Trojans going with backup Kedon Slovis for the remainder of the season.

That ultimately contributed to Daniels entering the transfer portal, though he wasn't healthy enough to play in 2020 until late in the year. Daniels thrived in an eventual starting role, however, going 4-0 in the Bulldogs' final stretch of the season, which included a win over Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl. Daniels completed 67.2% of his passes with 10 touchdowns and two touchdowns in the victories.

As one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation in 2018, Daniels arrived at USC as a consensus five-star prospect and the No. 3 QB recruit in the nation, with only Trevor Lawrence and Justin Field ranking ahead of him. However, Daniels is now set to land on his third destination in five years.

Additionally, wide receiver Jermaine Burton has entered the transfer portal, per Hummer. Burton was the Bulldogs' leading wide receiver with 497 yards receiving and five touchdowns, trailing only star freshman tight end Brock Bowers in both categories.

Where will Daniels look?

Daniels transferred to Georgia with the hopes of quickly rebuilding his stock after losing his starting job to Slovis at USC. Between injuries and on-field struggles, Daniels was ultimately sidelined in favor of Bennett, a former walk-on, as the Bulldogs won their first national championship since 1980.

Now, Daniels will almost certainly look for another spot to play his way back into an NFL Draft prospect. The most obvious spot would be Oregon, where Bulldogs defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is now taking over as head coach. The Ducks had issues at the position in 2021 and easily could be looking for a fresh start with a former five-star recruit, though he would have to compete with former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix as well.

Elsewhere, Lane Kiffin is looking for a successor to projected first-round quarterback Matt Corral at Ole Miss. The quarterback-friendly system could play to Daniels' strengths. Another QB-friendly system would be at TCU, where Daniels would be coached by quarterback gurus Sonny Dykes and Garrett Riley. At the Group of Five level, San Diego State, Appalachian State and Liberty are strong programs that could hit another level with Daniels' addition. His best path to NFL consideration is simple: sustained success while staying healthy.

What it means for Georgia

Thanks to the NCAA-granted extra year of eligibility, Bennett is eligible to return for another season in 2022. However, he has not announced his intentions at this point. Regardless of whether Bennett returns, the Bulldogs should be in good hands.

Freshmen Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff are both former blue-chip recruits, though the pair have just 24 combined career pass attempts. The Bulldogs also add four-star quarterback Gunner Stockton in the 2022 Class.

If Bennett opts to move on, he joins a lengthy list of NFL-bound Bulldogs that includes running backs James Cook and Zamir White, offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer and receiver George Pickens. However, five years of elite recruiting should mean the Bulldogs will be just fine.