Offensive coordinator Todd Monken wasn’t about to be drawn into a conversation setting a pecking order at quarterback for Georgia when the Bulldogs being spring practice in March.
Although Georgia’s quarterback competition will undoubtedly be the major position battle the media will focus on heading into the 2023 season-opener, Monken steered clear of any specific discussion when asked recently.
The way he sees it, Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, and Gunner Stockton all have bright futures. But he’s going to wait and see the competition play out before making any early prognostications.
“Those guys are great football players,” Monken said. “I'm just fired up they're all going to be here in the spring because we're in a time and place where that doesn't happen. And those guys are really, really talented players and I'm excited to have 'em all this spring.”
UGASports spoke to all three quarterbacks and will have articles on all three in the days to follow.
Of the group, Carson Beck has the most on-field experience.
Beck found himself in seven games in relief of Bennett after the Bulldogs built big leads. He made the most of his opportunities.
The Florida native completed 26 of 35 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Vandagriff, meanwhile, appeared in three games, only attempting two passes. Stockton redshirted while serving as Georgia’s scout team quarterback.
Stockton recently earned praise from Kirby Smart for volunteering to take off his black non-contact jersey to give Bulldog defenders a better look at preparing for the national championship game against TCU.
Monken did say all three quarterbacks have done exactly what he has asked them to do.
“They have been very, very supportive of what we do, how we do it, how we coach 'em and Stetson,” Monken said. “I think first of all to start with Carson, he's been there since I've been there. Then Brock's been there for a year and a half. I think the longer they're with you, have an understanding of expectations, and concepts, willingness to learn new things, and embracing their role.”
Monken said all three quarterbacks each have areas in which they need to grow.
“They have done a great job. It's never easy. Everybody wants to play. It's hard to see down the road, all of us,” Monken said. “Lou Holtz said this to me when I was a GA, and I'm not going to do it in his voice, but he would say that everybody wants to be a chief before they're a really good brave. There's a lot to that. Everybody wants to be the chief before they have done everything else to be a brave. He's right, and those guys have done a great job of learning how to be great braves and putting themselves in a position to be the chief.”