Georgia
Smart on potential UGA QB competition during offseason
Which Bulldogs quarterback will emerge as starter this spring?
ATHENS, Ga. — Carson Beck out, Gunner Stockton in.
That might just be the case after Georgia’s starting quarterback heads to Miami on a $4 million NIL deal, reportedly. Now, its likely Stockton’s time to become fully acquainted and capable of running offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s scheme.
Stockton does have some competition before spring practice concludes as former247sports 4-star and top-150 prospect Ryan Puglisi attempts to lead the Bulldogs in 2025. Coach Kirby Smart said it’s no forgone conclusion that Georgia will have quarterback battle but believes Puglisi has his work cut out for him.
“[Puglisi] a competitor,” Smart said earlier this week on 92.2 The Game. “He’s a really good baseball player. He’s got arm talent. He’s got size. He’s a competitor. He was one of those guys that really flashed when he was on the scout team.”
The 6-foot-3, 210 pound passer is a Massachusetts native but played his high school football at Avon High School in Connecticut as a two-sport standout. He threw for nearly 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns on the gridiron and starred as a shortstop and pitcher on the diamond.
“You have a card, you don’t have a read, and you just fire away. He’s made some really good throws on the run. He’s got a strong arm. But he does have a long way to go in terms of learning exactly what we’re asking him to do, the command of the offense and the volume of the offense. He’s getting better at all those things.”
Stockton had his number called in the SEC Championship Game against Texas when Beck injured his shoulder. After a shaky start, Stockton still completed 45-of-64 passes for 440 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Smart hasn’t come out with absolutes but it appears he has endorsed his redshirt junior as the clear cut starter.
“He’s a tremendous leader, but that’s nothing I didn’t already know,” Smart said this week. “He’s done everything right since he’s been here. He’s got a lot of knowledge of our system, and I think that kind of resonates with the other players. They rally around Gunner because they have a lot of respect for him.”
