Tough Day for Kirby: Jake Fromm goes pro, starting OL transfers to Tennessee

Alabama will have a tough early season test next season when they host the Georgia Bulldogs, and from a returning starters standpoint the Tide may have a significant advantage. Starting QB Jake Fromm had been on the fence, but he decided to declare for the NFL Draft today.

This is a bit surprising since he’s projected as a first round pick by almost no one at this point, but this is the decision and it leaves Georgia without an obvious starting candidate on the roster. Expect them to be portal shopping as Justin Fields returns to Ohio State after a season that saw him end up in New York.

More surprisingly Cade Mays, one of only two returning starters on the offensive line, decided to transfer to Tennessee. As noted, the former five star is from Knoxville and the Vols signed his little brother in December. This means that, in addition to the two starters who had already left for the NFL before the Sugar Bowl, two who actually played in the game are also gone. Matt Luke has a challenge ahead of him.

With leading rushers D’Andre Swift and Brian Herrien also entering the draft, this offense is looking at a full scale rebuild from a unit that wasn’t very good to begin with. With Florida on the upswing this is a crossroads moment for Kirby, and it will be interesting to see how he handles it.