By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

When Justin Fields, the No.1 rated quarterback in the 2018 class- depending on which recruiting site you read- signed with Georgia, it made sense.

Even though Jake Fromm was a returning sophomore, coming off a season in which he had played well and led his team to a national title game, you could see a scenario playing out similar to Clemson’s. Fromm would start the season and ultimately give way to Fields.

Worst case scenario for Fields, he would split time this season and take over as the starting quarterback next year.

If the remainder of this season plays out like it has so far, especially if Georgia were to make the playoffs again, Fields may have a decision to make about his future; one that doesn’t include the Georgia Bulldogs.

To the joy of many Georgia fans, Fromm has shown the type of improvement this year those fans were hoping for and has proven he is capable of leading the Dawgs back to the playoffs.

At the same time, given a drastic shift in his play, he has not shown the skill level needed to be successful at the next level. Not that it’s an indictment of Fromm, but he looks like a four-year player. This is where the conundrum with Fields lies.

Fromm is playing at a level that makes it difficult for Smart not to have him out the field a majority of the time. If he is able to lead Georgia back to the playoffs and plays well, then it makes it even more difficult to sit Fromm in favor of Fields.

I know benching a quarterback that has led you to back to back playoff appearances isn’t unprecedented. Jalen Hurts is sitting at Alabama but I’d argue that Fromm is actually a better quarterback than Jalen Hurts.

Plus, had the national title game not played it out like it did last year, I’m not completely convinced that Hurts wouldn’t be the starter this season.

Include the likelihood Fromm will be in Athens for another two years, there is a realistic possibility Fields will have difficulty seeing the field- no pun intended- if he were stay.

No matter how good a kid Fields may be and from everything I’ve seen and heard, that is a lot of patience to ask from someone that was highly recruited.

I’m sure Fields wants an opportunity to get consistent minutes and show off his skill set.

And don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean any of this as a knock to Georgia, Smart, or either of the quarterbacks.

I mean quite the opposite, in fact. To consider that Georgia may find itself in this predicament in a few months from now means they are winning (probably resulting a another playoff appearance) and Fromm has exceeded expectations.

It’s a situation 95% of the other programs in college football would love to be in. It doesn’t change however, that following this season it will be difficult to keep both quarterbacks happy, increasing the chance one will leave.

That said, anything I’ve mentioned possibly transpiring won’t happen until after the season is over.

As for this season, it couldn’t be working out any better. Georgia is on track again to compete for a national title and as of right that is all that should matter.

As for the next few years, they look as promising as ever in Athens; just don’t be surprised if Justin Fields isn’t part of it.