Georgia coach Mark Richt is eager to pick a starting quarterback. He just hasn’t seen enough from the three contenders to make a decision.
After the Bulldogs held their second scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday, Richt said there is still no front-runner in the battle between third-year sophomore Brice Ramsey, junior Greyson Lambert and junior Faton Bauta.
Richt said he’s starting to think the quarterback battle will extend into the season.
“I’d like to know and have some peace about it; when I make a big decision, I like to have peace,” he said. “I don’t have that right now.”
Georgia, considered one of the top contenders in the Southeastern Conference and likely to be in the Top 10 when The Associated Press rankings are released on Sunday, opens at home Sept. 5 against Louisiana Monroe.
“I’m a patient guy, but the clock is ticking,” Richt said. “I got a feeling it will play out in the games.”
The coach said he would prefer not to rotate his quarterbacks once the season begins, and he’s always been sensitive making a quarterback change during the games after playing the position himself in college.
However, he pointed out David Greene and Cory Phillips shared the job in 2001 before Greene solidified himself as the starter.
Whatever the case, it’s clear that no one is standing out as the clear-cut favorite. Ramsey was the backup a year ago behind Hutson Mason, while Lambert is a transfer from Virginia.
“The guys were not horrible today,” said Richt in a less-than-glowing assessment. “Each had their moments when they did some good things and some that will get you beat.”
The early schedule might work in Georgia’s favor if Richt carries the competition into the season. The Bulldogs will be heavy favorite in the opener and travel to Vanderbilt, coming off a dismal 3-9 season, for their second game. After a home game against South Carolina, they face FCS school Southern in Week 4.
But Richt will certainly want to have the quarterback situation sorted out by Oct. 3, when Georgia hosts Alabama.
The two-hour workout in full pads began with an emphasis on special teams, including kickoff coverage and kickoff return. The Bulldogs then ran about 35 plays before taking a halftime break. When action resumed, Georgia focused on punt coverage and punt returns, and then a series of third-down situations that culminated with goal-line scenarios.
As for Georgia’s injury situation, Richt said fullback Christian Payne (leg) would probably not be available for the opener, and senior receiver Justin Scott-Wesley (knee) is questionable.
However, junior linebackers Reggie Carter (undisclosed injury) and Tim Kimbrough (knee) should be ready to go.