Kirby Smart provides update on JT Daniels following return

JT Daniels finally saw live game action for the first time in more than a month as the Georgia Bulldogs pummeled Missouri 44-6 on Saturday.

Daniels entered the 2021 season as the clear starter, but injuries have kept him sidelined.

In his weekly press conference, Smart was asked about his impression of Daniels in his return to action.

“Health wise he seemed fine,” Kirby Smart said of Daniels.

“I haven’t talked to him about it but he didn’t take any major hits. Watching him play, I thought he did a good job. He had a command of the offense. Like I said Saturday, he did a really good job of being over there and seeing what the defense was trying to do.”

While Stetson Bennett got the bulk of work for the Bulldogs, JT Daniels finished 7-of-11 of 82 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

The highly-touted quarterback prospect from Santa Ana, CA led the Bulldogs on a seven-play, 41-yard scoring drive in his first possession of the game. He completed all three passes he threw, capped by a 7-yard score to Ladd McConkey.

“He understands our offense,” Kirby Smart added. “Number one with where to go with the ball. What plays to put us in, decision-making with the ball. He did a good job of those things. I think he did a really nice job with the reps he’s gotten.”

JT Daniels or Stetson Bennett?

There are legitimate quarterback questions surrounding the No. 1 team in the country. Daniels entered the year as the clear starter, but a combination of injury and inconsistent play has opened the door for Bennett, yet again.

The Georgia Bulldogs head coach made sure to say he had full confidence in both quarterbacks.

“I think both of our quarterbacks have tremendous confidence and I have great confidence in them,” Smart said.

As of now, the offense rolls smoother with Bennett under center. His dual-threat ability gives an extra dimension.

JT Daniels set a Georgia record for most passing yards by a quarterback in their starting debut and got Georgia rolling down the end of the season. They finished 4-0 and defeated Cincinnati in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

He was touted as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft ahead of the season, but his injury derailed his stock. At the moment, it seems that he could return to school in 2022, but he has to fight an uphill battle to win his job back this year.