JT Daniels: 2021 Devy Profile

Quarterback, Georgia, Eligible for 2022 NFL Draft

JT Daniels walked on to USC’s campus in 2018 as a five-star recruit and the number two ranked quarterback in the 2018 class. After an injury and a transfer the 6’3”, 210 lbs. Daniels looks to establish himself in his second season at UGA.

Past Production

Daniels burst on the scene at USC starting as a true freshman, and, while not a stud, looked to be a solid enough player. Obviously, his accuracy was less than stellar and the offense struggled from time to time, but these growing pains aren’t unheard of from true freshman quarterbacks. Entering his second season at USC, there was hope that Daniels was ready to take the next step behind center and elevate his level of play. Halfway through the first game in 2019, USC found themselves scrambling for a replacement as Daniels went down with a torn ACL.

The rest of the season played out well for Daniels’ replacement, Kedon Slovis, and ultimately Daniels was left with the decision to fight for his job in 2020 or transfer to another program. He chose Georgia, a move that left many scratching their heads as grad-transfer Jamie Newman announced earlier in the year he would be attending as well.

Ultimately Newman opted-out of the 2020 season, a move that may have come because he saw how porous the Georgia o-line was going to be. This opened the door for Daniels to become the eventual starter, once he returned to action. Daniels didn’t work his way onto the field until the last four games of the season. He was able to be fairly efficient as a starter averaging over 300 yards and three TDs a game. His worst performance came against South Carolina where he only threw the ball 16 times. 

The issue I have with Daniels’ performance is that in his final four games, he only played one team with a winning record, Cincinnati. While the Bearcats were undefeated entering the game, they’re still not the same as the top SEC competition. Daniels can prove himself by taking on some of college football’s big boys next season.

2021 Outlook

JT Daniels looks to take the next step in showing he can be a professional quarterback. He should be the clear starter heading into the 2021 season. Georgia is closer to a pro-style offense than what USC currently runs, so the decision to transfer may have been a result of the system.

Georgia returns top receiving options George Pickens and Kearis Jackson as well as running back Zamir White. These weapons, along with a more experienced offensive line, should give Daniels plenty of opportunities to show what he’s got. Add this to the fact that Georiga gets a lot of national attention, and we could see Daniels’ draft stock skyrocket if he performs.

Devy Analysis

Daniels’ path to becoming a college starter somewhat mirrors that of former Bulldog Jacob Eason. After a promising freshman season, both were replaced by a freshman phenom that seemingly came out of nowhere. After transferring, both found themselves in situations to become starters at their new school and ultimately garner enough attention to get drafted into the NFL.

I think the comparisons don’t end there. I think unless Daniels shows quite a bit in 2021, their pro careers could be similar as well. Georgia hasn’t produced an NFL-starter since Matthew Stafford and Daniels could find himself as a career backup. In terms of devy picks, I’m willing to spend a mid-to-late second-rounder on Daniels, but there are a lot more exciting options out there at the QB position. I’d be looking towards ‘23 before grabbing Daniels as my QB.  

Bonus

Coming out of Mater Dei High School, Daniels certainly has the pedigree to become an elite-level pocket passer. JT Daniels is fairly immobile, and his knee injury didn’t help that much. He has shown flashes of great accuracy though, so if he has time in a clean pocket, he can succeed.

Thanks for reading! If you have any fantasy questions, reach out to me on Twitter @fantasyonefive, and be sure to check out the rest of our devy profiles!