ATHENS — Georgia quarterback JT Daniels has found a new home at West Virginia.
Daniels, who will be a fifth-year senior next season, chose the Mountaineers over a host of other possible destinations. At West Virginia, Daniels will be reunited with Graham Harrell, who was his offensive coordinator at USC and holds the same position with the Mountaineers.
“It definitely helped knowing Graham coming into it and having a really good relationship with him,” Daniels told ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who broke the news. “Knowing that I trust that offense and that system, and I believe in it. I also feel really comfortable with coach (Neal) Brown and the ideas that he has and the way that he runs a program.”
Daniels has been visiting prospective teams all spring as he completes requirements for his psychology degree from UGA. Since he has transferred once, he could move again without a penalty only as a graduate transfer.
Daniels is known to have visited Missouri and Oregon State, too. He went to Morgantown, W.Va., this past weekend.
“I loved it,” he told ESPN. “It feels very Athens-ish, which is a quintessential college town, which I have really, really enjoyed living in.”
Daniels took over for injured quarterback Stetson Bennett midway through the 2020 season and entered last season as the Bulldogs’ starter. However, a back injury sidelined him early in the year. Bennett ended up starting the last 11 games of the season and was named most outstanding offensive player in both College Football Playoff games en route to the national championship.
Daniels recovered from his injury at the midpoint of last season and completed the season as Georgia’s backup. In two seasons with the Bulldogs, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Daniels completed 69% of his passes for 1,953 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Daniels is the third 5-star quarterback to transfer from Georgia during the Kirby Smart era, joining Jacob Eason and Justin Fields, and the third 5-star prospect to leave the program this spring. Former 5-star offensive linemen Amarius Mims and Clay Webb currently are in the portal.
Daniels was 7-0 as Georgia’s starting quarterback. The turning point for him with the Bulldogs was the two-week period heading into the eighth game of the season against Florida. Heading into that one, Smart detailed the differences in the two quarterbacks.
“There are teams we play that we have to be able to use the quarterback in the run game. Well, that’s Stetson,” Smart said. “There are teams we play that you have to get the ball out quickly and be really accurate. That’s JT.”
Under Harrell at USC, Daniels completed 61% of his passes for 2,887 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games.
Daniels told ESPN that at this point in his career, he needs to prove he can stay healthy. He has played in only 22 games in four seasons.
As for his time in Athens, Daniels had nothing but good things to say about his two-year stint at UGA. He’ll leave wearing a national championship ring.
“I love Georgia, and Georgia has always loved me since I’ve been here,” Daniels said. “It’s been a really, really good and supportive fan base. I’m very, very thankful. I had no problems adjusting. I wouldn’t even consider it an adjustment. Everyone here has been good and honest and good people.”
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