After every Georgia football game down the stretch this season at Sanford Stadium, starting quarterback Jake Fromm was whisked into his own interview area.
That was not the case for backup Justin Fields.
Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart does not make true freshman players available to the media, adopting a Nick Saban policy that was in place during Saban's days at LSU. At the Southeastern Conference championship game, however, the league mandates an open locker room afterward for each team, so Fields was a popular target for reporters following Georgia's 35-28 loss to Alabama on Dec. 1.
"This season has been great," Fields said then. "I love this team, and I've definitely felt like I've gotten better since I've been here. I've learned a lot from the coaching staff, and I've learned a lot from Jake."
Whether Fields remains with the Bulldogs became a scalding topic Monday night, when USA Today reported that the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw is intending to transfer. The USA Today report followed a Smart news conference Monday morning that previewed Georgia's matchup against Texas in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's night.
Fields practiced Monday, but Tuesday's workout was closed and there was no media availability. Fields has submitted his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal, which now allows other schools to contact him about transferring.
The Toledo Blade reported Tuesday that Ohio State is the favored destination for Fields if he elects to leave Athens and current Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins leaves early for the NFL. Multiple media outlets have reported that Fields will attempt to become immediately eligible at a potential second school, as Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson did this year after leaving Ole Miss.
Fields signed with Georgia last December as the nation's No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the 247Sports.com composite rankings and as the No. 2 overall recruit behind Clemson pro-style quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Appearing in every game except the 36-17 victory over Florida, Fields has completed 27 of 39 passes (69.2 percent) for 328 yards and four touchdowns, and he has rushed 42 times for 266 yards (6.3 per carry) and four scores.
There were just four games - Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt and UMass - in which Fields threw more than three passes, and his most obvious adjustment was going from five-star talent to having no control over when or if he was going to play.
"It's definitely challenging, but you've just got to be ready at all times," Fields said. "I felt like I needed to kind of see what this side of football meant. It's kind of a blessing in disguise, and I'm just going to continue to get better.
"I'm a competitor, so everybody wishes they had more playing time. It is what it is. Coach Smart is my coach, and I trust him. He knows what's best."
Fields had the opportunity after the SEC title game to end any speculation that he was transferring, but he said, "Right now this season is not over with. We still have more games. I'm focused on this team, and that's it."
If Fields departs, his last memory could be the unsuccessful fake punt on fourth-and-11 against the Crimson Tide in which intended target D'Andre Swift was covered by Mack Wilson. Fields tried to run for the first down but picked up just 2 yards.
Fields had two rushing touchdowns during the 38-12 win over Tennessee, but his most impressive all-around showing occurred against UMass, when he went 5-of-8 passing for 121 yards and two touchdowns and rushed seven times for 100 yards and a score. He became the first Georgia quarterback to rush for 100 yards since Quincy Carter in 1998.
"That was a fun game. I'm glad I got to show my talents," Fields said. "I think Jake and I are just going to continue to get better. This season isn't over yet, so we're going to go back to the film room, continue to get better on the practice field and just keep getting better.
"I feel like my first year was all right, and I've definitely had a great experience with the team. Hopefully we can end this season with a win."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.