For the first time since Georgia's national signing day festivities in February, freshman quarterback Jacob Eason was made available to the media on Monday.
His personal description of his debut season in Athens was not surprising.
"I'd say it's a learning curve," Eason told reporters after the team returned from practice at the Atlanta Falcons indoor facility in Flowery Branch. "It's been fun to get out there on the field with all the guys and get that first season under the belt. We're only going to get better from here, but for a first year I had fun and a great time with all the guys."
Eason said adjusting to the speed of Southeastern Conference linebackers and defensive backs was the biggest adjustment he had to make.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder from Lake Stevens, Wash., enrolled in January as a five-star talent and the No. 2 quarterback nationally according to 247Sports.com. Eason put up the best numbers at the G-Day spring game, but graduate transfer Greyson Lambert started the season opener against North Carolina.
Both quarterbacks played in the 33-24 comeback win over the Tar Heels, but it was Eason's job the rest of the way.
Eason has completed 192 of 349 passes (55 percent) for 2,266 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Lambert has appeared in just three games, completing 7 of 12 passes (58.3 percent) for 56 yards.
Lambert has played in only one of Georgia's last 10 games, the 35-21 win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
"Greyson has helped me a tremendous amount," Eason said. "I've learned from him a lot. He's still teaching me everything he knows and has been a great help for me."
When asked about the recent decisions by Nick Chubb and Sony Michel to return for their senior seasons, Eason said it was a "big boost to morale."
No room for Carter
Georgia will have a lot of tailback depth in 2017. Too much, in fact, for Toneil Carter of Houston.
The nation's No. 7 tailback prospect and No. 137 overall prospect according to 247Sports' composite rankings announced Monday morning that he was withdrawing the nonbinding pledge he made to the Bulldogs in July. Cater had planned to enroll in Athens in January.
"For the past week, I've been in contact with the Georgia coaches," Carter posted on Twitter. "Due to the two staying, something came up with the early enrollment process, so at this moment, I would like to thank the Georgia coaches and the entire Georgia program. I will be decommitting from the university.
"I want to thank each and every Georgia fan. I love you guys. This was totally out of my control."
Carter was not on the market for long, committing Monday afternoon to Texas to become the first commitment of the Tom Herman era.
Georgia's tailback contingent next year is scheduled to consist of Chubb, Michel, current freshmen Brian Herrien and Elijah Holyfield and commitment D'Andre Swift of Philadelphia. Swift is rated by 247Sports as the nation's No. 4 tailback.
Last December, the Bulldogs lost a commitment from tailback Devwah Whaley of Beaumont, Texas. Whaley wound up signing with Arkansas and has rushed for 601 yards and 5.7 yards per carry this season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.