Kirby Smart keeping Gunner Stockton vs. Ryan Puglisi QB competition alive following Georgia spring game
A handful of college football powerhouse teams canceled their spring game this year, but the Georgia Bulldogs were not one of them. Georgia's G-Day scrimmage, which took place on Saturday afternoon "Between the Hedges", gave head coach Kirby Smart a much better idea of where his team's quarterback situation currently stands as they look to […]
A handful of college football powerhouse teams canceled their spring game this year, but the Georgia Bulldogs were not one of them.
Georgia's G-Day scrimmage, which took place on Saturday afternoon "Between the Hedges", gave head coach Kirby Smart a much better idea of where his team's quarterback situation currently stands as they look to move on from quarterback Carson Beck.
While redshirt junior Gunner Stockton is the projected starter for Georgia in 2025, coach Smart made it clear in his post-game comments that their quarterback competition is not yet over.
"Both did some good things and both did some poor things, which, when you get in a game environment, they need that. They need a game environment, they need a pocket, they need live, they need to play football, Smart said.
"And they continue to get better. They understand they have some weapons on the outside. We have to rely on those guys to be able to make some plays, and I think both of those guys understand the offense. Ryan's come a long way in what was really his first spring, and he made some nice throws."
Stockton finished the game completing 16 of 34 passes for 309 yards while Puglisi completed all three of his passes for 52 yards and one touchdown. Both also threw an interception.
Although the day was far from perfect, Smart noted significant growth and improved understanding of the offense from each quarterback.
"Confidence, understanding the offense, knowing when to take a shot, which he didn't do a great job today," Smart said. "He had a couple times where he could have thrown the ball or checked it down. He took shots that he probably didn't have to. But he's done a really good job with his feet, his legs. He made plays with his legs today, and I thought Ryan did, too. They're both good athletes that can extend plays."
With spring ball in the rearview mirror, Stockton and Puglisi will get a chance to rest and continue to study the offense before returning to the field for summer workouts.
