We continue our pre-camp position breakdown by looking at the position most eyes outside the Georgia football program will focus on – quarterback.
While most assume that Carson Beck will take over as the starter, head coach Kirby Smart has not made any such announcement, meaning there’s still time for Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton to make an impression this fall.
Let’s take a look.
STATE OF THE QUARTERBACKS
Scholarship Players (remaining eligibility, including this season): Carson Beck (three, including Covid year), Brock Vandagriff (three), Gunner Stockton (four)
Average Rivals Rating: 5.98
Average Rivals Star Rating: 4.3
Who's committed: Dylan Raiola (2024), Ryan Puglisi (2024)
OUTLOOK FOR 2023
One can argue the worst-kept secret regarding the Georgia football team is whether or not Carson Beck will be the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback.
He’s not been announced as such by Kirby Smart, who said during SEC Media Days he plans on taking his time before naming Beck, Brock Vandagriff, or Gunner Stockton his starter for the opener against UT-Martin.
“It’s way more important to get it right, which I don’t know if we’ve always done than it is to do it fast. Looking back, you can make a case because Stetson (Bennett) didn’t get more reps for two years. I understand why he didn’t get more reps as a freshman walk-on but upon his return, maybe we didn’t manage it right, but we certainly didn’t rush into it. I can’t put a timetable on that or a volume of plays. I thought we did a really good job in the spring of doing that,” Smart said. “Coach Bobo and the offensive staff bring me a sheet every day that says this is who is getting the 1’s percentage, this is who is getting the 2’s and who is getting the 3’s. The one luxury we have is Carson has had a greater volume, so if you’re willing to cut his volume, you’re able to increase the other two’s volumes with the ones. So, we’ll see how that goes. I just don’t know exactly how much right now.”
However, despite Smart’s comments, it’s difficult to imagine Beck not getting the nod.
In five games last year, Beck completed 24 of 32 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns. Couple that with the fact Beck is coming off a strong spring and a summer where word is he’s continued to progress in a positive way, it would qualify as a shock not to see him under center as the starter once the season begins.
Smart was asked how much game action matters in making a decision of this magnitude.
“Always matters, right? Absolutely it matters. It’s the No. 1 measure we have. But it’s the one thing we can’t measure (in practice) because we don’t tackle the quarterback. In the game they get tackled,” Smart said. “So, Brock (Vandagriff) has very limited game action. We didn’t give Brock an opportunity to open and do things in games. Carson, we loosened up and did more things, so we’ve got more measurements there. Gunner didn’t get any. The closest thing these guys have to game action is the spring.”
Beck may not run as well as Vandagriff and Stockton, but he’s not a statue, either. Although he’ll be more inclined to remain in the pocket, Beck can make plays with his legs if flushed from the pocket. Obviously, there’s no concern about his arm.
There’s no concern about Vandagriff and Stockton throwing the ball, either.
Although fans have yet to see it in games, players will tell you they’ve seen plenty from both quarterbacks to know both have what it takes to be a success. The fact they’re both excellent runners adds a dimension that Beck does not bring, and it will be interesting to see if offensive coordinator Mike Bobo puts that to use during the course of the season.
OUTLOOK BEYOND 2023
It could be a very crowded quarterback room this time a year from when Dylan Raiola and Ryan Puglisi join the fold.
Although Vandagriff is a former five-star, Raiola is arguably the highest-regarded quarterback to choose the Bulldogs since Matthew Stafford and appears to be a can’t-miss prospect.
Time will tell.
But don’t overlook Puglisi. It would have been easy for Puglisi to seek his fortunes elsewhere, but based on his comments, he's anxious to compete with Raiola and anyone else who happens to be in the quarterback room.
The question is, who will remain?
With a strong season, Beck could have the opportunity to move on to the NFL, leaving Vandagriff, Stockton, Raiola, and Puglisi – assuming they all stay – to battle for the starting job in 2024.
