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When a team struggles at quarterback as much as Georgia has (11 passing TDs in 10 games), the knee-jerk reaction from angry fans is to stick the youngest and most talented recruit in and see what he can do.
Brice Ramsey is still waiting for that opportunity.
Ramsey, a 4-star recruit, has yet to start for Georgia, and with guys like QB Faton Bauta starting and throwing 4 INTs and touted 5-star recruit Jacob Eason on the way, you wonder whether he’ll ever get his chance.
Someone wrote this on whiteboard in room where Richt is holding his presser. pic.twitter.com/KmHp56pimI
— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) October 31, 2015
According to 247Sports, Ramsey was a higher rated recruit than UT QB Joshua Dobbs, Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson, and potential first-round pick Cal QB Jared Goff, each one having started multiple games this season.
By now you’d think Mark Richt and the Georgia coaching staff would have taken a shot on the No. 3 QB from class of 2013, but through the first 10 weeks it’s clear that Ramsey is stuck behind Greyson Lambert and Bauta.
If Ramsey is dissatisfied with his lack of opportunities in Athens, or recent switch to punter, he’s not showing it publicly. Quite the opposite. He’s embracing any chance to be a Bulldog, any chance to get on the field.
“He’s been a very good teammate and has done everything we’ve asked him to do,” coach Richt told reporters earlier in the month according to AlbanyHerald. “I think he has enjoyed and embraced this punting role, and he sees a future there for himself at Georgia as far as continuing to punt. I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t.”
Except … Ramsey didn’t come to Georgia to punt.
“That’s obviously what I came here for,” Ramsey told The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph, about playing quarterback. “But at the same time, I’m just trying to contribute any way I can. I’ll do anything. With the new punting gig, I’m having a good time at it. I’m actually pretty good at it. I could definitely seeing myself doing it as a position.”
His future certainly is a topic, especially with the anticipation surrounding Eason’s arrival, and he addressed it in a positive manner after Georgia beat Kentucky on Nov. 7.
“Whatever opportunities come my way, I jump on,” Ramsey told the paper. “The punting thing, an opportunity came my way. I’ve yet to mess it up. I’m just trying to take advantages of any opportunities I get and make the most of it.”
A different kind of warmup for Georgia quarterback Brice Ramsey #campusrush pic.twitter.com/e5jlfyLw5v
— Connor Riley (@Kconnorriley) November 14, 2015
Before committing to Georiga Ramsey received offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and Ole Miss according to 247Sports.
If you told an undeclared Ramsey that he’d be stuck behind a Virginia transfer (Lambert) all season, chances are he’d have second thoughts.
But the sophomore hasn’t given Richt a reason to make him a bigger part of the offense, either. Ramsey had every opportunity to win the job in preseason camp. Richt said it was close, but chose Lambert.
“He’ll continue to battle at the quarterback position and try to get better every time he gets snaps, but he’s been an outstanding teammate,” Richt continued. “There hasn’t been any griping or moaning.”
In six games, Ramsey has thrown 2 interceptions and just one touchdown pass.
He finished 1-for-6 with a pick-six as Lambert’s backup against Alabama.
https://twitter.com/capstonekid/status/650815687359864832
Ten games in, it’s obvious Georgia’s quarterback situation isn’t ideal, so why not see what the sophomore can do? At this point the Bulldogs have nothing to lose by starting Ramsey and giving him a fair opportunity to shine, as they have with Lambert and Bauta.
“We’re looking for the answer,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer told DawgNation reporters earlier this season. “We’ve gotta look at the film, evaluate the film. I think Brice is excited about some of the stuff with the punting.”
