Why Kirby Smart has a fascinating decision ahead: Examining the layers of Georgia's quarterback competition
A year ago, Georgia entered spring practice as the reigning national champions with a new coordinator and a slew of young and hungry blue-chippers salivating at their opportunity to replace a bunch of NFL Draft departures.
Sound familiar?
The Bulldogs became the first program in a decade to win back-to-back championships, and Kirby Smart again starts spring ball with a new coordinator (this time at OC with the departure of Todd Monken to the Baltimore Ravens) and a host of former top recruits looking to replace an exodus of future pro talent.
The difference this spring is Georgia will also hold what just might be the most interesting and layered quarterback competition in the country.
The battle between Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton to become Stetson Bennett’s successor stands to have all sorts of ripple effects — from the guy who gets to be The Guy for a team attempting to three-peat to potential dominos in the transfer portal.
A quarterback competition always ups the ante, but for a team as loaded as Georgia, it could be a decision that kickstarts a potential dynasty. Or opens the runway for another program to win a championship if Smart & Co., roll with the wrong guy.
As the Bulldogs opened spring practice Tuesday, it’s clear that Kirby Smart and newly-promoted OC Mike Bobo like their options. Georgia could’ve had the pick of the litter in the QB transfer market back in January, but it opted to sit tight, believing in the room the staff has recruited.
“We think we have three really good quarterbacks,” Smart said.
“I’m really excited about all three of those guys to grow and get better. I do look forward to seeing Carson and Brock getting a lot of that action. They’ll both rep with the 1s. As far as how much, that’ll play itself out over the course of spring. Gunner has come a long way. I’m excited to see what those guys can do. They’ve been excited about meeting and doing things with coach (Mike) Bobo and the offensive staff. I’m excited to see those guys go practice and compete.”
From the outside, Beck is seen as the prohibitive favorite to start the spring. He’s bided his time, and per a study by The Athletic, the former 4-star recruit is the lone Top 50 quarterback from 2017-20 classes who’s never started a game but also hasn’t transferred. Beck was great in mop-up duty as Bennet’s backup in 2022, completing 26 of 35 passes for 310 yards, four touchdowns and no picks.
Former Georgia All-American David Pollack recently said on On3’s The Hard Count that “I think it’s (Carson Beck’s) job to lose. 100%.”
But it’s not that cut and dry.
Breaking down the layers of Georgia’s quarterback battle
Beck has some experience, which the other two young Dawgs do not, but he’s also squandered an opportunity to become Georgia’s starter before … and that’s not nothing. The Stetson Bennett Hollywood script never sees the light of day if Carson Beck performs better in practice the week before UGA played UAB in 2021.
He didn’t, which left Kirby Smart and Monken scrambling for JT Daniels’ replacement so they turned to Bennett, who’d barely taken reps at all that week.
Now, Beck has another shot to become Georgia’s starter, only he faces even stiffer competition.
Vandagriff is a former 5-star recruit who Lincoln Riley originally picked over Caleb Williams three years ago. The former Oklahoma commit ultimately opted to stay closer to home, and he has all the tools (6-3, 215 with a big arm) to become a star. After a couple of seasons serving as the No. 3 quarterback, the question is has Vandagriff improved his processing and touch? Smart noted that Vandagriff has put on 15 pounds of muscle and complimented his athleticism and field vision.
Smart was also quick to say that, “I wouldn’t count Gunner Stockton out of this thing because this kid is talented, smart. I got to see him on the scout team the entire year. We saw him grow.”
Stockton, a record-setting high school quarterback from Rabun County, has a little mix of Aaron Murray and Stetson Bennett to his game. Teammates raved about his scout teamwork last season, and there’s the interesting dynamic of his relationship with the Bobo family.
The former 4-star recruit originally committed to South Carolina when Mike Bobo was the Gamecocks’ OC for Will Muschamp. Meanwhile, Bobo’s father, George, is a former longtime high school coach in the Peach State who’s tutored Stockton since middle school.
So the Bulldogs do not lack intriguing options. All three guys have upside and talent. Any of the three could be the next Guy at UGA.
“When Monken left, I asked him where he thought our quarterback room was,” Smart said.
“He was very adamant that we have three talented young quarterbacks and Mike inheriting that room certainly feels that way too. Excited about those guys.”
That excitement also likely includes some real anxiety because Smart (and Bobo) better be sure they make the right decision.
Georgia has three potential options for now. The Bulldogs hope that’s still the case come the fall.
Kirby Smart is highly-unlikely to name a starter next month, but what if one of the three options clearly realizes he isn’t truly in the mix?
Whoever might leave could be among the most sought-after transfers in the summer following the May 1 transfer portal windows. Also, the Bulldogs didn’t sign a freshman in their 2023 recruiting class, which means they may have to dip into the portal for depth, too.
It’s a fascinating composition of layers and choices for the two-time champs. It’ll be fun to see how it all plays out in the coming months (or weeks?).