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Jacob Eason accepted and understood his role as Jake Fromm's backup

Oct 7, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) and quarterback Jacob Eason (10) high five as Eason enters the game during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

It's not a surprise, Jacob Eason is transferring out of Georgia.

The once prized recruit out of Lake Stevens, Wash. will likely go to the Washington Huskies, according to the Seattle Times, and finish out his collegiate career close to home.

Jake Fromm and Justin Fields will now battle for who will lead the Bulldogs offense between the hedges next season as they try and bounce back from a runner-up finish in the national championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Eason went down with a knee injury in the season opener against Appalachian State.

In came the true freshman, Fromm, poised and ready to lead the Bulldogs without ever looking back. After Fromm's breakout performance at Notre Dame and witnessing incredible moments throughout the season, Eason quickly realized his new role.

"I’ve understood my role as a backup quarterback to be ready at any given time and to prepare the team as best I can," Eason said in an interview before the Rose Bowl Game.

"This year, it didn’t go as I expected, but look where we are and look where we came. I’m proud to be on this year. It’s a once and a lifetime opportunity."

Eason could have been annoyed at the line of questioning, snap at reporters and complain about the position he was put in all season. After all, fans never really got a chance to see how much he had improved after his freshman season.

He was impressive in 2016. He threw for 2,430 yards, which was the fourth-most by a UGA freshman. He entered as a true freshman against North Carolina at the Georgia Dome and helped lead them to victory. He had multiple game winning drives on the road.

But he struggled with his accuracy, made ill-advised throws and left much to be desired while Georgia's run game struggled.

After just a couple snaps in 2017, Georgia fans never got to know what Eason had became after beating out Fromm in the offseason. A couple throws late in games is no indication.

Eason wasn't grabbing the mic, saying he deserved another chance after getting healthy midway through the season. That's because he has a football mind and knows there was no chance anyone would risk messing with Fromm's mojo.

"You don’t typically want to mess with what’s going on when you’re winning games. So, I understood it," he said.

And even though he didn't announce until Friday that he was officially transferring, there were hints here and there that he looked forward to watching the program from afar.

He admitted being 2,700 miles away from his parents has been difficult. He texted with his father frequently who reminded him to be humble, have little emotion and be able to adapt.

He also said he's not used to the role of being the backup. He's always been the guy ever since high school.

"It was new. It was different just because I’ve never been in that situation before. But I understood what was going on, and I could see it too," he said.

"With Jake playing the role he’s played, it’s been great to see him thrive and excel in that role. I’ve been there with him every step of the way. I’m excited for him every game, and every opportunity he gets, I’m going to give him a high-five on the sideline because he’s done a great job."

Fromm appreciates that support.

"It’s been awesome, especially knowing somebody in the quarterback room is also supporting you. It’s been great," Fromm said.

Eason will likely join the Huskies where there are already five quarterbacks on the roster for next season. He'll sit out a year for transferring, per NCAA rules, and then have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

He'll have to beat out Daniel Bridge-Gadd, who will be a redshirt junior in 2019 and has been waiting patiently behind Jake Browning. Browning will likely stay for his senior season. There are multiple 4-star quarterbacks also committed to the Huskies.

But Eason's got experience, and he must believe he can take his final years of eligibility and make something of it.

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