DawgNation has four staffers who cover Georgia football from every angle: Beat, live streams, photos, podcasts, recruiting, etc. The “Cover 4” concept is: 1) Present a topic; 2) Offer a reasoned response; 3) Share a brisk statement to support that informed opinion. 4) Pepper the page with photos for the big picture. For this edition, we discuss who is now the best recruiter on the 2020 UGA staff. 

DawgNation continues this season with the “Cover 4” concept. It is now a popular live show on our streaming media platform and a timely content piece on DawgNation.com, too.

The quick in-and-out game remains. It is designed to come out quicker than a group of elite Bulldog recruits can fill up the back of a truck bed.

The latest “Cover 4” question is:

Which UGA quarterback will be affected the most by Jamie Newman opting out? 

Brandon Adams: Brock Vandagriff

Brock Vandagriff (left) is a 5-star QB commit for the 2021 class. He’s pictured here alongside 5-star priority recruiting target Amarius Mims in the 2021 class. (Amarius Mims/Instagram)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “DawgNation Daily” here: “The 2021 commit could have an inside track to become next season’s starter if the presumed starter for this season, JT Daniels, plays well enough to move on to the NFL.”

Mike Griffith: Carson Beck

Carson Beck was once committed to Alabama but wound up choosing UGA during the 2020 recruiting cycle. (Chamberlain Smith/Georgia Sports Information)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “On the Beat” here: “Carson Beck in the short term, because Newman’s departure opens up a seat on the proverbial “Bus” for road trips. There’s a chance Beck was going to leave with three quarterbacks ahead of him and another 5-star coming in next season. JT Daniels gets more first-team reps, and D’Wan Mathis — along with Beck — has a path to the starting spot in 2021 if Daniels leaves after this season.“

Connor Riley: D’Wan Mathis

D’Wan Mathis has been with the program longer than any QB left on the roster. He’s also by far the best athlete. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The “why” from “Good Day UGA” here: “Really wanted to put Justin Fields here but I think for the 2020 season it has to be Mathis. He does offer some of the athleticism Newman did and the intel has suggested that he’s been impressive when getting reps. If Daniels isn’t fully healthy to go and Mathis continues to practice well, he may have found himself taking meaningful game reps for the Bulldogs.“

Jeff Sentell: Carson Beck

Carson Beck is going to have the big-time arm, cognitive ability, leadership skills and just enough wiggle to help a big-time program. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The Intel here: Mathis is the best short-term answer because everything UGA was hoping to add with a dual-threat in Newman now carries over to his ledger. But this gives Beck a chance at more reps. Reports came back he had the biggest “wow” throw of that first scrimmage. While he’s not the best athlete or the one with the most game reps, he will understand the offense, make big throws all over the field and offer just enough wiggle to move the chains with his legs. His skill set checks all the major criteria required for a QB on a championship contender. He’s not lacking in any major area and should now get more reps to show what he can do. 


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The 2020 “Cover 4” editions of late: