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3 SEC QBs Hurt Most By Spring Football Being Canceled

By Scott Rogust

Jamie Newman is one of many SEC quarterbacks hindered by the cancelation of spring football.
Jamie Newman is one of many SEC quarterbacks hindered by the cancelation of spring football. / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

This is the time of year college football teams take part in their annual spring practices. That won't happen in 2020 with the global spread of the coronavirus causing the NCAA to cancel it altogether.

That news hurts all different kinds of players: grad transfers, sophomores looking to build off freshman seasons, etc. Perhaps no one is hurt more than the following three SEC quarterbacks.

3. Mac Jones (Alabama)

Mac Jones could've used spring ball to maintain his grasp as Alabama's starting quarterback.
Mac Jones could've used spring ball to maintain his grasp as Alabama's starting quarterback. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Mac Jones got his first crack as a starter last season, when Tua Tagovailoa went down with a dislocated hip. In 11 games, Jones threw for 1,503 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions while completing 68.8% of his passes. He had the chance to keep a stronghold on the starter's position over 5-star dual-threat recruit Bryce Young and get a better knowledge of the offense to build a rapport with his receivers. With no spring ball, Jones' progression takes a significant hit.

2. Bo Nix (Auburn)

Bo Nix shined during his freshman season at Auburn.
Bo Nix shined during his freshman season at Auburn. / Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

It appears that Auburn has its next great quarterback in Bo Nix. The true freshman really stepped up last season, during which he led the team to huge victories over the Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide. Even so, Nix's numbers didn't really back up his clutch gene. In 13 games, he completed just 57.6% of his passes for 2,542 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Spring football would've given Nix the perfect opportunity to get back into the swing of things and improve his game for his sophomore year.

1. Jamie Newman (Georgia)

Jamie Newman just transferred to Georgia, and his potential has already been halted.
Jamie Newman just transferred to Georgia, and his potential has already been halted. / Michael Shroyer/Getty Images

The Georgia Bulldogs had to find their next starting quarterback after Jake Fromm declared for the NFL Draft. They would've had Justin Fields, but he transferred to Ohio State last year and lit it up for the Buckeyes. Jamie Newman, a grad transfer, opted to move on from Wake Forest to join the Dogs for his senior season. Now, he's already fallen behind with no spring ball to get a grasp of Kirby Smart's offense. And if the NCAA goes through with their plan to start the regular season in July, Newman is going to be in trouble in terms of learning the playbook and developing relationships with his new teammates.