Georgia freshman QB Ryan Puglisi out for spring game
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia freshman quarterback Ryan Puglisi will be sidelined for his first spring game. The 2024 early enrollee arrived at Sanford Stadium on Saturday with what looked like a crutch/cane after head coach Kirby Smart told reporters in his most recently availability that Puglisi was “dealing with a minor knee injury.”
“Ryan is dealing with a little bit of a knee injury. It’s not a significant injury. He’s had it before, since high school. It has been bothering him. He’s been able to throw. He hasn’t been able to go out and be mobile and run. His knee has been bothering him,” Smart said on April 2nd. “We’re hopeful to get him back today, if not today than probably Thursday. He’s had to miss out on some reps. He’s been in to everything, all the walk throughs and mental stuff.”
A 6-foot-3, 210-pound four-star out of Avon Old Farms High School, Puglisi was one of the top ranked quarterbacks in the Class of 2024. He committed to Georgia during his junior season after impressing the Bulldogs’ staff that summer. He would go on to complete 133 passes for 1,904 yards and 16 touchdowns in nine starts.
Puglisi put together a strong senior season too, recording 118 completions for 1,693 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding three scores on the ground too. It came on the heels of his participation in the Elite 11 Finals and prior to being named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Connecticut.
In his absence, Georgia is left with two scholarship quarterbacks – Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton – along with walk-ons Collins Drake and Sam Bush.
He’s not the only player that’ll be sidelined on Saturday either. Second-year defensive back Chris Peal was wearing a sling. Peal redshirted in 2023, playing in one game as he recorded an assisted tackle in the Orange Bowl win over Florida State. Peal was seen in a black non-contact jersey during the last media viewing period of practice on March 19th.
Georgia Injury Report
Georgia has dealt with several injuries this spring. Some have limited players in their action while others have kept them out completely. A full list of injuries that Kirby Smart shared at the start of spring practice, along with their availability at the time, can be found below.
Bo Hughley – left labrum surgery (out)
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins – foot surgery (out)
Smael Mondon – foot surgery (out)
Kris Jones – foot surgery during senior season (limited)
Christen Miller – meniscus injury (limited)
Branson Robinson – patella tendon (limited)
Malaki Starks – shoulder surgery (limited)
Rara Thomas – foot injury (limited)
Demello Jones – hamstring (limited)
