Georgia QB battle may extend beyond spring practice

Brice Ramsey was second on Georgia’s depth chart at quarterback behind Hutson Mason in 2014, but just because Mason graduated doesn’t mean that Ramsey has assumed the team’s starting role just yet.

In fact, Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt indicated Wednesday that Ramsey, a redshirt sophomore, redshirt junior Faton Bauta and redshirt freshman Jacob Park will all receive reps with the first unit.

“It's more of 1A, 1B, and 1C. We're trying to give all of those guys a number of reps,” Richt said, per UGASports.com. “We're trying to make it as equal as possible. I'm sure we'll be rotating who is number one on any given day, as far as who works with that unit. I'm sure every quarterback will get reps with the one's and the two's.”

Richt said the turnover in the coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball plays a role in evaluating the position. Longtime Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo left to become the head coach at Colorado State and Richt brought in veteran NFL assistant Brian Schottenheimer to run the offense. Schottenheimer will also coach the quarterbacks.

“Obviously we brought in a new quarterbacks coach,” Richt said. “You guys (the media) always want to know depth charts, but it's so hard to determine that because there are so many guys getting opportunities to get their reps with the one unit"

At this point, with the season still six months away, Richt said “it’s hard to say” if the staff will name a starter coming out of spring ball.

“I’m not certain we’ll be able to make that determination at that point. I’m not sitting here saying we have to name a one by the end of spring practice,” Richt said. “It’s not a big goal of ours. We want to get these guys opportunities and see how they handle it. We’ll evaluate and make that determination when we get there.”

Some of the transition of adapting the style of Schottenheimer’s offensive scheme plays a role in that decision as well.

"It's been a little bit of a melting pot in terms of what we've done and what he's done in the past,” Richt said. “I'm not going to say it's 100 percent the same verbiage that we had a year ago, but as far as the things that we're doing they married up very well."

Ramsey appeared in eight games in 2014, so he has a leg up on the competition in the experience department. Overall, he threw for 333 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 24-of-39 throwing. Bauta saw action in three games, completing 4-of-5 passes for 48 yards.

Park enrolled early and redshirted and Richt has often been complimentary of his work on the scout team.

"He did spend a good bit of time on the scout team. He was very unselfish in that role and gave us the best possible look. He really showed some great leadership with that group,” Richt said. “I think it served him well. Now, it's time to let him compete."

Richt’s squad is scheduled to start up practice on March 17 with the G-Day game following on April 11.

For more Georgia news, visit UGASports.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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