Kirby Smart assesses Georgia quarterback JT Daniels in return

Quarterback JT Daniels made his return to the field for Georgia on Saturday for the first time since late September. Stetson Bennett got the start at quarterback for Georgia, but Daniels came into the game late in the game, and his performance impressed Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. But Smart was more impressed with what he saw from Daniels before he entered the game.

“I know he did a nice job while he wasn’t in the game,” Smart said of Daniels. “He was over by me calling out the defenses, the checks, going through them like he was playing the game. To hear him call out coverages and the checks and know exactly what he’s planning on going to, it was really good. It gives you a lot of confidence in him when he’s over there making those and talking to Stetson when he comes off the field.”

Daniels has been valuable for Bennett, Georgia’s offense

In Georgia’s 43-6 victory over Missouri, Daniels completed seven of his 11 passes for 82 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His touchdown came after Daniels led Georgia on a drive down the field right after entering the game. Smart said that the interception was unfortunate for Daniels, and that a Georgia receiver tipped it, resulting in the pick.

“But he had really good command of the offense when he went in,” Smart said. “He’s got great poise in the pocket. Did a tremendous job. Got a little unfortunate on the tipped ball. A little off on Jermaine (Burton) and then hit Jermaine in the hands and then it bounced off and ricocheted to end up being a pick.”

Bennett was 13 of 19 for 255 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Daniels and Bennett have a good relationship, and they have helped each other out this year in the quarterback room. As Smart alluded to, Daniels has been really helpful for Georgia while watching from the sideline. And Bennett was happy to see Daniels get back on the field.

“We talk about every series coming off the field, about what I saw or what he saw from the sideline,” said Bennett after the win. “Usually we both have the same ideas but sometimes somebody else sees something that the other person doesn’t see. We’re always communicating. Just trying to help each other and by doing that, help the entire team.

“It was cool. Any time somebody else goes in there and has success — it’s cool. We’re buddies and we’re friends — yeah, it was pretty cool to see him out there.”