Bulldogs’ QB Fromm on pace to set SEC accuracy record
Georgia’s Fromm on pace to set SEC accuracy record
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm was calm, cool and collected in leading the Bulldogs to last season’s Southeastern Conference championship as a true freshman. So far this season, Fromm has been calm, cool, collected and really, really accurate.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder from Warner Robins has completed 50 of 69 passes through Georgia’s 4-0 start for 739 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. His 72.5-percent accuracy rate is well above his 62.2-percent clip of last season, when he was named the SEC’s newcomer of the year.
“I’m not a huge stats guy, but that is one that kind of sticks out,” Fromm said. “I’m getting balls to my guys, and for them to get the ball is a whole lot better than me holding on to the ball. As long as they’re getting the ball, we’re putting the offense in a good situation.”
Fromm is on pace to supplant Hutson Mason’s single-season school record of 67.9 percent set in 2014. He’s also on track to top former Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch, who established the league standard at 72.3 percent in 1998.
His next opportunity to improve or at least maintain his completion percentage takes place Saturday afternoon in Sanford Stadium, when the No. 2 Bulldogs host Tennessee.
“I think he’s able to make quicker, smarter decisions,” Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said. “He processes information really quick. He understands what defenses are trying to do. He’s in the second year in our system. He’s got more experience at wideout. We had good wideouts last year, but the kids this year have a bigger body of work, and they’ve made some plays for him, too.
“Early last year, I know Mecole (Hardman) had a couple of drops, but they’re all catching the ball better now. I don’t think he was less accurate last year. He just understands where the checkdown is and knows how to use the tools that are around him.”
Tennessee first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt faced Fromm during his last game as Alabama’s defensive coordinator, when the Crimson Tide rallied past the Bulldogs 26-23 in overtime in January’s national championship contest in Atlanta.
“I thought Jake Fromm was the most efficient quarterback that we played against last year,” Pruitt said Monday during his weekly news conference. “He is very accurate. He is like a coach on the field. He has command, and he keeps them out of bad plays and even puts them in good plays.”
Fromm ranked ninth nationally last season in efficiency, when he completed 181 of 291 passes for 2,615 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, with a rating of 160.1. He is sixth so far this season with a rating of 199.7, making life easier for Smart and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney in terms of a clear pecking order with Fromm and five-star true freshman Justin Fields.
After opening with a 12-for16 performance against Austin Peay, Fromm was 15-of-18 at South Carolina and 10-of-12 against Middle Tennessee. His 13-of-23 performance in last Saturday’s 43-29 triumph at Missouri was his worst accuracy showing of the season, but his average completion was 20 yards, and he was 7-of-11 for 146 yards and two touchdowns against the blitz, according to statistics compiled by Pro Football Focus.
Fromm threw for three scores at Mizzou, while heralded Tigers counterpart Drew Lock didn’t have any.
“I think it’s knowledge of the offense and Coach Chaney putting the offense and me in good situations,” Fromm said. “It’s just kind of understanding more about football, and when in doubt, just check it down. We have great backs, and it’s just like handing the ball off to them.
“They make plays, so give them the ball and let them have fun.”
Odds end ends
True freshman Cade Mays, who has filled in for left tackle Andrew Thomas (ankle), has been working this week at right guard with Ben Cleveland (knee) out. … Smart said after Tuesday’s practice that the best depth on his team right now is at receiver. … Redshirt junior kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has made 111 consecutive extra points, which is eight short of matching the program mark of 119 set by Blair Walsh from 2008 to 2010.