The backup quarterback competition became a little more clear today.

According to Alex Halstead, true freshman quarterback Zeb Noland suffered a knee injury last night in practice and will miss the entire 2016 football season.

QB Zeb Noland is out for the season. — Alex Halsted (@AlexHalsted) August 12, 2016

Though it was thought to be preferred by the coaching staff that Noland use a redshirt this season, I don’t think this is what they would have hoped for. Noland has reportedly been impressive since arriving on campus and was making the decision tough on the coaching staff.

The Georgia native was in a fierce competition with Jacob Park, the former 4-star Georgia Bulldog recruit. With Noland now out for the season, Park will undoubtedly be the next in line to get snaps should Lanning get injured or be benched due to inconsistent play.

Noland should be ready to go for spring practice in 2017, where he will ultimately be groomed as Joel Lanning’s successor at the quarterback position.