Where Does Transfer Greyson Lambert Stand in Georgia's Wide Open QB Battle?

HOOVER, Ala. — Greyson Lambert just got on campus at Georgia after graduating from the University of Virginia last week and has to hit the ground running—and throwing—if he wants to be Georgia's starting quarterback in 2015.

He joins a battle that includes redshirt sophomore Brice Ramsey and junior Faton Bauta. 

At this point, the front-runner in that race is one of the SEC's biggest mysteries.

"I have no idea who the starter is going to be,"head coach Mark Richt said. "We are going to have a tremendous competition, continue that competition for that position. It's going to—I think it's going to take a while."

Mike Stewart/Associated Press

Lambert threw 11 touchdowns and 13 picks in two seasons as the Cavaliers' starting quarterback, while adding two touchdowns on the ground.

Richt hasn't seen much of Lambert this summer but is comfortable with his career at Virginia and what kind of player he was as a 4-star pro-style prospect out of Jesup, Georgia.

"Greyson has been around a little bit, and started a bunch of games," Richt said. "He's been through the college experience there at Virginia. We're glad to welcome him to the program, and he will come in with the mindset of competing with our other quarterbacks for the job."

Steve Helber/Associated Press

If this battle lasts late into fall camp or even into the season, it shouldn't cause panic.

Georgia is breaking in a new offensive coordinator in Brian Schottenheimer, has uncertainty at receiver behind veteran Malcolm Mitchell and has a tuneup with Louisiana-Monroe in Week 1 before going to Vanderbilt during the second week of the season.

That will allow Schottenheimer and Richt to take their time finding the right guy.

What's more, the ability of running back Nick Chubb and a loaded backfield that includes Sony Michel and Keith Marshall provide plenty of insurance for the Bulldogs along the way.

Steve Helber/Associated Press

It almost has to be that way.

Schottenheiemer's NFL pedigree has sped up the install process of the offense this offseason for the entire offense.

"We've had a lot more meetings this offseason—run by the players—to make sure we have an understanding of the play calls and how it all operates to get it down as much as possible so when we go into camp, everything's slower," Mitchell said. 

While that has given Ramsey and Bauta a head start on winning the job, Ramsey is, by far, the most experienced quarterback on the roster.

If he's going to get a fair shot at winning the job, the battle has to wage on quite a bit so that he is comfortable with the playbook, coaches and new teammates he has around him.

Eventually, Ramsey still has to be considered the favorite based on his experience at Georgia as a primary backup and with Schottenheiemer this spring. However, the rubber has just now met the road now that Lambert is in Athens.

Grab a chair and get comfortable. 

Georgia's quarterback battle is going to take a while to settle, and that's just fine.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.