5 college football players every Bucs fan must watch in 2020
By Rob Leeds
Jamie Newman, Georgia, Quarterback
Jamie Newman has been one of the most talked-about players in college football over the past few months. Newman was a big-name transfer from perpetual under-performer, Wake Forest, and is now a favorite to make a splash in the Heisman voting in 2020.
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Understandably, Newman is a long shot at becoming a Buccaneer. With Bruce Arians as the head coach and Tom Brady already on the roster, taking a quarterback early in the draft could prove unlikely.
On the other hand, while it may not be Arians’ decision, the front office could force the issue and take a quarterback early on to serve as Brady’s replacement. Tom Brady’s career is nearing its end, and the Bucs have to prepare for a future without him or for an injury contingency.
As it stands, if Brady goes down, the Bucs have little chance of reaching their expectations with the other quarterbacks on the roster. Blaine Gabbert is a solid backup, but he is not the future. Nor is Ryan Griffin, although he has been a fun, feel-good story to follow.
If Newman is available at the end of the first round (where the Buccaneers are currently projected to pick), Tampa Bay has to pull the trigger. The Bucs would get a solid quarterback that is also mobile that can serve as an above-average backup for Brady for a year, then step into the starting role when number 12 retires.
Georgia games may not be most peoples’ cups of tea, but Jamie Newman could become the future of this franchise. Regardless of views on Georgia, Newman will likely be very easy to find in primetime games on a consistent basis.