Georgia QB Jamie Newman Opts Out of 2020 Season, Blames COVID Drama

Georgia Bulldogs QB Jamie Newman -- one of the top-ranked QBs in the country -- is opting out of the 2020 college football season ... just 3 weeks before the season opener.

6'4", 230-pound Newman -- a graduate transfer from Wake Forest -- was touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate going into the 2020 season after balling out at WF over the past 2 seasons.

In 2019, he threw for 2,868 yards, 26 TDs and 11 INTs -- while rushing for 574 yards and 6 TDs.

But, with all the drama surrounding COVID, Newman announced Wednesday on social media that he's opting out ... without ever taking a single snap for the Bulldogs.

"With much prayer and discussion with my family I would like to announce that due to the uncertainties of this year amid a global pandemic I will officially opt-out of this football season to prepare for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft."

Don't worry ... Newman will be fine and so will Georgia -- which has a pretty solid backup plan.

Ex-USC quarterback JT Daniels transferred to Georgia back in May and was granted permission to play in the 2020 season.

So, the presumed plan is plug in Daniels -- who can flat-out ball.