David Pollack on Georgia QB Competition: Job is 100-percent Carson Beck’s to lose
Who will take the mantle for Georgia when it comes to their quarterback spot? That’s been the question everyone in Athens wants to know the answer to with Stetson Bennett having ridden off into the sunset with a pair of national championships on his resume. With several players in consideration, though, former Bulldog and ESPN analyst David Pollack has shared his definitive response in that discussion.
In an interview with On3’s JD PicKell that will debut Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. ET on The Hard Count, Pollack went with junior Carson Beck as his choice as the Dawg’s next QB1. He left no doubt either as his answer came with complete certainty.
“I think it’s (Carson Beck’s) job to lose. 100%,” Pollack said.
Since enrolling in 2020, Beck has seen action in 11 games for Georgia. In that time, he has completed 36 of his 58 career passes. Those completions amounted to 486 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions on a 58.9% completion rate. It wasn’t long ago that Beck arrived as a four-star prospect and Top-20 QB in 2020 per On3’s Industry Rankings. Now, he has seniority when it comes to the Bulldog’s quarterback room.
However, Pollack does believe Georgia has something special when it comes to sophomore Gunner Stockton. After watching him, he believes Stockton will eventually remind Bulldog fans of the player they became accustomed to at quarterback over the last three years.
“I’ll tell you this. I think Gunner is special,” said Pollack. “When I go watch him and I watch him compete? He looks like Stetson. He’s smaller in stature, great athlete, got a great arm. Can make off-platform throws, make exciting plays.”
As a true freshman, Stockton didn’t see the field for UGA. Even so, he remains a big part of their future as a four-star and Top-10 QB from the 2022 class. If Pollack’s evaluation is right, Kirby Smart may have a serious quarterback competition on his hands in the future between Stockton and the 2021 five-star and Top-5 QB in Brock Vandagriff.
Still, as of now, it seems Beck has the early edge to be under center in 2023 in Pollack’s eyes. Stockton and Vandagriff may have their say this spring, this fall, or at least down the line but, in a competition that Pollack believes will eventually come down to Beck and Stockton, he says this season’s decision will lean the way of the veteran.
“I think it’s between those two guys. I think Beck will be the starter and I think he’ll prove why he’s really, really, really good,” Pollack asserted. “But I think he’ll have an elite backup in Gunner. (He) could also be the guy and I think will be the guy in the future.”