Fromm: 'A lot more understanding' in season 2
ATHENS, Ga. - It's just different this season for Jake Fromm.
A year ago, the true freshman approached the 2017 season as a backup for incumbent Jacob Eason, looking to get playing time whenever he could.
But an injury to Eason early in the 1st game against Appalachian State changed everything.
Fromm would not give the starting position up, leading Georgia to an SEC title, Rose Bowl championship, and the National Championship title game.
Fromm told reporters in Athens Monday that he has a lot more understanding of what’s going on as he prepares to lead the Dawgs into the 2018 season.
While Coach Kirby Smart would not name Fromm the starter for Saturday’s game against Austin Peay over freshman Justin Fields, the coach said Fromm has worked with the No. 1 offense during all of the pre-season practices.
As a true freshman, Fromm would not be allowed to take part in news conferences per Coach Smart’s policy for first year players.
Monday, the sophomore was one of several UGA players who work with reporters after Smart’s weekly news conference.
Fromm told FOX 5’s Cody Chaffins his life is different now as UGA’s starting quarterback.
He’s now more selective of where he goes, saying, “I probably wouldn’t walk into Wal-Mart if I had to be out in 5 minutes.”
After 2 mishaps over the summer in the water, he also said he has not ruled over watersports in his future.
In 1 accident, the Warner Robins native ended up with a fishing hook in his leg.
In the other, Fromm injured his non-throwing left hand when a ski rope snapped back and hit it.
He said he hasn’t made any issues with the hand by wearing a brace.
Fromm smiled when she said he didn’t want to tell Coach Smart what had happened until he knew exactly what was going on with the hand injury.
Below are other comments Fromm made to reporters.
On going through the system as a sophomore…
“It has been a lot more understanding. You know what is going on more. You understand the offseason process. Last year, it is just kind of a like a daily basis that you just show up and you get told to do this, that, or the other and you just say okay. Now you have a general feel of what’s going to happen and the workouts and what not. It has been a lot better, and I have a better idea of what’s going on. You then can prepare for things better. I love to prepare so I didn’t don’t want to show up to anything unprepared.”
On freshman quarterback Justin Fields…
“He’s a great player, and a great person too. We’ve had a lot of fun in the quarterback meeting room, and it is definitely fun to go out there and compete with him. He is a great competitor, and can make great plays and throws. He puts you on the edge so you always want to one-up him and make a better throw.”
On individual goals and skills he wanted to work on in the offseason…
“I wanted to stay consistent and be a better leader. For me, I wanted to get better in the pocket and be more accurate. So I had a couple things, but you always want to go into camp with a few things you want to work on.”
On newcomers James Cook and Demetris Robertson…
“They are really exciting. They are really explosive football players. When they get the rock in their hands, they can make it six points real quick. James (Cook) and D-Rob (Demetris Robertson) are great people and are awesome contributions to the team.”
On the offensive line group and ability to see over them…
We definitely have some really big guys up there that are keeping me safe. As far as seeing over there, there is really no difference whether they are 6’2’’ or 6’7’’ like they are. There really is no big difference, you just find a way. It is exciting to see the interchanging parts up there. All the guys get after it and all of them are big and strong. They can run block and pass block and definitely get after it. Coach (Sam) Pittman has it figured out.”