This article was originally published with The Red & Black on June 10, 2015 and can be found here.

Former Virginia quarterback Greyson Lambert ended speculation when he announced on June 3 he would transfer to the University of Georgia. While the time for rumors is now over, the challenges for Lambert have only begun.

Lambert has joined a long list of quarterbacks who transferred from one FBS institution to another. Several were quite effective in their new homes, like Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson and, going back to the 1980s, UCLA’s Troy Aikman. Other players had less-than-stellar stints that were derailed for a number of reasons. Their stories should serve as guidelines for what Lambert must do to be successful.

 

Phillip Sims has experienced what Lambert is preparing for two different times. Sims became Lambert’s teammate in 2012 after transferring to Virginia from Alabama, where he appeared in eight games but recorded only 18 completions. After one season with the Cavaliers, he transferred to Winston-Salem State.

For Sims, transferring was an overwhelming process. Football is certainly the focus for fans and coaches, but the aspect of a new home and new friends is what he is quick to point out. Along with off-the-field issues come gaining the team’s respect, an objective that makes the move for a new quarterback the toughest.

“People look to you to lead, but it’s hard to lead when you don’t know how things are done there,” Sims said. “It’s a tough balance to show your natural leadership abilities and fit in without stepping on anybody’s toes.”

Then there’s the playbook. Learning new play calls with unfamiliar audibles and terminology is no overnight lesson. The task is one all parties involved need to be aware of, including fans who think it is comparable to playing an NCAA Football video game.

The truth is it’s far from simple. Sims estimates it takes around a year for a signal-caller to know all the ins and outs of a system. He speaks from experience, as he had about three months to learn the Cavaliers’ playbook after leaving Tuscaloosa. The results weren’t pretty, either: Sims started only four games in Virginia’s 4-8 season in 2012. He left for Winston-Salem the following summer.

This isn’t to say it is a hopeless situation for Lambert. He has displayed several skills that make it look like he can adjust fast enough to compete for the starting job come fall. Namely, he has the intelligence to learn the playbook quickly, judging by his graduating from Virginia in three years. His knowledge of Georgia’s plays will have a significant role in where he lands on the depth chart.

Lambert also possesses an arm that can make coaches and teammates buy into what he offers. Jody Grooms coached Lambert at Wayne County High School in Jesup and believes his former player has what it takes to stand out in the SEC.

“He’s been able to make every necessary throw since about his junior year in high school,” Grooms said. “He is able to do things that only a select few quarterbacks can do.”

Sims also worked alongside Lambert and liked what he saw.

“He’s a big, physical pocket quarterback,” Sims said. “It’s going to be an adjustment for him [when] he goes to Georgia moving from ACC to SEC style of play. He’s a hard worker, so I think he can make that adjustment.”

Whatever the outcome of summer practice may be, this much is clear: Lambert is the newest in a crowded class of quarterbacks who are jockeying to start Georgia’s season opener on Sept. 5. If he leads the offense against UL-Monroe, he will do so because of an impressive learning pace and a strong throwing arm.