In a bombshell report from USA TODAY Sports, UGA quarterback Justin Fields apparently plans to transfer from the Bulldogs program in the coming weeks.
Fields, the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback from last year's recruiting class, rarely saw major playing time this season, accounting for 592 total yards (328 passing) and eight touchdowns while backing up sophomore Jake Fromm.
Monday's report could be construed as 'stunning' and 'not surprising' at the same time, given Fields' amazing potential at the college and perhaps NFL levels.
(Fields has drawn size, mobility and arm-strength comparisons to Cam Newton, who also transferred from his original school back in the day–albeit for entirely different reasons.)
The rationale: Yes, the Kennesaw native signed on with Georgia knowing full well Fromm enjoyed a wildly successful freshman campaign in 2017 (SEC champs, Rose Bowl champions, falling just shy of the national title).
However, Fields might have also fallen under the spell of Kirby Smart's powerful recruiting pitch, potentially implying a starting slot sooner than later.
Which brings us to this: The modern-day elite quarterback has more options than ever at the college level.
It's one thing for the likes of Smart, Nick Saban and/or Jim Harbaugh to recruit 5-star tailbacks and linebackers with back-to-back classes ... but it's just not a sustainable plan with quarterbacks.
Unlike running backs, who want to preserve their wear-and-tear for a potential pro career, a high-end QB prospect needs an infinite amount of reps to prepare for the NFL indoctrination.
And by all accounts, Fields bears the look of an intriguing, down-the-road pro prospect.
But alas, none of this will come to fruition in Athens, if the sourced report comes out as true.
For what it's worth, the UGA program has yet to comment on the report, and likely won't do so until after the Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1 vs. Texas).
