WATCH: Kirby Smart provides definitive statement on Georgia's quarterback controversy

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart made a definitive statement on his quarterback situation ahead of the Orange Bowl. The Bulldogs skipper emphasized that Stetson Bennett is the team’s starter moving forward. However, he also shared that it’s possible that fans may see JT Daniels on Friday.

“The JT situation will be a matter of, is the situation right?” Smart said. “And also, is he healthy enough?”

"The JT [Daniels] situation will be a matter of, is the situation right? And also, is he healthy enough?"
–Kirby Smart, asked if quarterback JT Daniels could play in Orange Bowl. Reiterated Stetson Bennett is the starter pic.twitter.com/0Wj6zpioWS

— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) December 29, 2021

Daniels made it to Miami on Monday after recovering from COVID-19. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said on Tuesday that he would bet that he’ll be ready to play.

Daniels began the year as Georgia’s starter, but Bennett came in after he suffered an injury. In three games as a starter, Daniels completed 54 of 71 passes — a 76% clip — for 567 yards and five touchdowns.

Bennett took over as the Bulldogs’ QB1 against Arkansas. Since then, he’s 126 of 201 for 1,882 yards and 18 touchdowns. In the SEC Championship against Alabama, Bennett went 29 for 43 for 340 yards and three touchdowns in Georgia’s 41-24 loss to the Crimson Tide.

Despite Bennett’s success, he’s received criticism since the Dawgs fell to Alabama in the SEC title game.

The Orange Bowl kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. It follows the other playoff semifinal game — the Cotton Bowl between Alabama and Cincinnati — at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Todd Monken backs Bennett

“There’s no doubt in my mind we can win a national championship,” Monken said, via The Athletic’s Seth Emerson. “And there’s no doubt in my mind we can win it with Stetson Bennett.”

Talk about confidence.

It’s important to note that Monken had plenty of good things to say about Daniels, though. Monken called him a “student of the game,” and although Daniels missed a week of practice, he isn’t worried about his status for Friday.

“He’ll be ready to go,” Monken said.

On3’s Ashton Pollard contributed to this report.