<p>ATHENS, Ga. — Kirby Smart doesn’t like to show his hand when it comes to Georgia’s quarterbacks.</p>
<p>If there is any question as to who will be his starter, the coach prolongs the mystery as long as possible.</p>
<p>This spring, there’s no mystery. After only four starts with the Bulldogs, JT Daniels’ status as the starter — and the Bulldogs’ leader — is unquestioned. </p>
<p>Daniels is only more confident in his role following his first spring practice, which ended with him passing for 324 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Saturday’s G-Day spring game.</p>
<p>One year ago, Daniels was still recovering from a serious knee injury following his transfer from Southern Cal. He wasn’t cleared to play until after the start of the 2020 season.</p>
<p>This spring provided Daniels the important opportunity for extended practice time. He described the value of the 15 spring practices as “massive” for his continued development.</p>
<p>“There’s been a lot of overall improvement for me personally and also with a lot of guys stepping up in the receiver room,” Daniels said. “There’s a lot better chemistry you notice in the spring game.”</p>
<p>The spring also has helped teammates adjust to Daniels.</p>
<p>“It’s been good having him all spring and feeling that connection with him,” said offensive tackle Warren McClendon. “Being in the huddle with him every day is good.”</p>
<p>Daniels capped his abbreviated four-game debut as starter last season by leading three fourth-quarter scoring drives and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-cincinnati-bearcats-football-georgia-cincinnati-jack-podlesny-822ad45a4c58a1a6c85aba18592ebf48">passing for 392 yards</a> in the Bulldogs’ 24-21 Peach Bowl win over Cincinnati.</p>
<p>With Daniels returning for his junior season, Georgia looked to have most of its offense back for 2021. Instead, top receiver George Pickens likely will miss the season after suffering a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-george-pickens-football-kirby-smart-georgia-0e22842d4fb8546324bd869a6196d6f0">right knee injury </a> early in spring practice.</p>
<p>Pickens’ injury robs Daniels of his most established playmaker, but the quarterback says the Bulldogs are deep at receiver. Proof came Saturday.</p>
<p>Freshman Adonai Mitchell joined Daniels on the first-team offense and had seven catches for 105 yards, including a 24-yard scoring catch with four seconds remaining in the first half. Demetris Robertson caught a 59-yard scoring pass from Daniels, who also threw a touchdown pass to Kearis Jackson.</p>
<p>Smart said Daniels “has got command of the offense” despite playing less than half a season.</p>
<p>“He understands it,” Smart said. “The key is his decision-making process. The quarterback has to be in charge every single play and he manages that very well for us.”</p>
<p>The scrimmage, played before 20,524 fans, was only Daniels’ second appearance at Sanford Stadium. His home debut will be difficult to top.</p>
<p>Daniels raised expectations in his only 2020 home game by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-mississippi-football-jackson-george-pickens-acae97a6990b5087acf9ca342da9368d">passing for four touchdowns</a> in a 31-24 win over Mississippi State. Overall, he threw for 1,231 yards and 10 touchdowns in his four games, all wins.</p>
<p>Georgia finished 8-2 and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">No. 7 in the final AP Top 25</a> poll. The Bulldogs’ offense, known as a run-first attack, found passing balance with Daniels at quarterback. </p>
<p>There is an expectation the second season under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and the first full season with Daniels, will only add more emphasis to the passing game.</p>
<p>“He has better understanding of his weapons and he’s got a boatload more reps with each one of those,” Smart said of Daniels.</p>
<p>Some of those weapons are at running back. Zamir White and James Cook combined for 12 catches out of the backfield.</p>
<p>“It’s very, very, very rare that the first guy tackles any of our running backs,” Daniels said. “We trust our running backs with the ball to make guys miss them.”</p>
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<p>More AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Top25">https://twitter.com/AP_Top25</a></p>
