Coach Kirby Smart Tabs Greyson Lambert Starter over Jacob Eason

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Kirby Smart era is set to begin on Saturday against North Carolina but the true stamp of the new head coach has been put on hold with the announcement of Greyson Lambert as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

Speculation throughout fall camp had a heated quarterback battle between Lambert and true freshman Jacob Eason. Eason arrived in Athens with all of the hype a player could want during his senior season. The Lake Stevens star was widely rated the No. 1 pro-style gunslinger in the 2016 recruiting class after tossing for 3,585 yards with 43 touchdowns with just six picks against 4A Washington competition.

Eason was an early enrollee at Georgia competing throughout spring practices for a shot at claiming the starting quarterback spot. During the spring game, the 6-5, 235 pound, talent completed 19 of 29 passes for 244 yards with a touchdown. A starting nod to Eason would signal a quick changeover from the Mark Richt era to Smart’s tenure.

Lambert settles back in under center after an up-and-down junior campaign. The 6-5, 234 pound, Virginia transfer played in and started in 12 games for the Bulldogs in 2015 but did not start against Florida with the nod going to Faton Bauta, who transferred to Colorado State in the off-season. Lambert finished the 2015 season with 1,959 yards passing connecting on 12 touchdown passes. Even though Bulldog fans were not overly impressed with Greyson, he only threw two picks a year ago and completed 63 percent of his passes.

Regardless of who is calling the plays in the huddle, Georgia is expected to be a run-first team with junior running back Nick Chubb, cleared to play in the season opener, along with Sony Michel ready to carry the load.

No. 18 Georgia kicks off at 5:30 p.m. against No. 22 North Carolina in Atlanta on Saturday.

 

Photo credit: dawgnation.com; No. 11 Greyson Lambert takes a shot downfield (2015).