ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 5: Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on before the SEC Championship game against the Florida Gators at the Georgia Dome on December 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Jacob Eason didn't play with the first team at practice, and that raises all sorts of questions

What is Kirby Smart doing?

The Georgia quarterback battle has been in full swing all summer. The competition has been between three different players in freshman phenom Jacob Eason, junior Brice Ramsey and senior Greyson Lambert. There have been rumblings that Eason has been taking the reigns of the offense and was taking a lot of first team reps in the past few weeks.

RELATED: Jacob Eason seizing hold of the starting job

There were even some rumors that Eason had been told he had won the starting job heading into the Week 1 matchup with the North Carolina Tar Heels. However, Monday's practice in front of the media saw someone else taking the first team snaps.

RELATED: Three reasons Eason needs to be UGA's starter in Week 1

Lambert started 12 games last year and recorded 12 touchdowns against two interceptions. He also threw for 1,959 yards while completing 63.3 percent of his passes. It seems the staff doesn't trust Eason as much as the fans do and they'd like to see a little more before throwing him into the fire against a good team like UNC.

RELATED: Kirby Smart slows the Eason hype train

Eason was the No. 2 quarterback in last year's class and was rated as a five-star recruit. Right now, Georgia's depth chart has a big "OR" between Lambert and Eason so there is a chance he gets in the game if Lambert can't handle the pressure.

 

[h/t Saturday Down South]