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Georgia Football: 5 reasons why Jacob Eason will be SEC’s top QB in 2017

By Erich Hilkert

Dec 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) passes the ball while being pressured by TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Mat Boesen (9) during the first half at Liberty Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) passes the ball while being pressured by TCU Horned Frogs defensive end Mat Boesen (9) during the first half at Liberty Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs black team quarterback Jacob Eason (10) walks off the field at halftime during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Red defeated Black 25-22. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs black team quarterback Jacob Eason (10) walks off the field at halftime during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Red defeated Black 25-22. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Experience

Eason has received a lot of criticism, but a fuller picture reveals he put up strong numbers for a true freshman who now has 12 starts under his belt. Matthew Stafford, who went on to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, completed just 53 percent of his passes during his freshman year.

Stafford’s freshman year wasn’t too dissimilar from Eason’s year in that Stafford made throws not often seen from a freshman but also made plenty of youthful mistakes. Stafford made big strides in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Stafford’s total passing yards went from 1,749 to 2,523 to 3,459 from freshman to sophomore to junior year. His completion percentage went up from 53 percent to 56 percent to 61 percent.

Even a dissimilar quarterback like Peyton Manning showed a major progression from his true freshman year to his sophomore season. Manning went from 1,141 passing yards and 11 touchdowns to 2,954 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.

It is impossible to see how much of an improvement Eason will make but he is likely to see improvement.

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