The Georgia Bulldogs are in an intense quarterback battle as head coach Kirby Smart searches for the program’s new QB1. With Carson Beck joining the Miami Hurricanes, the door is open for either Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi to win the starting job.
Freshman Ryan Montgomery is still recovering from a significant knee injury. In addition to the ongoing quarterback competition, the Dawgs are also attempting to land five-star quarterback Jared Curtis from the 2026 class.
For now, the job appears to be Stockton’s to lose. This is not a surprise given Stockton filled in for an injured Beck in the SEC Championship and Sugar Bowl matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
On3’s Ari Wasserman made his predictions for the top college football quarterback battles. The analyst predicts Stockton will win the job for the Dawgs.
“Gunner Stockton was put in an impossible situation last year,” Wasserman wrote on March 10. “When Carson Beck got hurt right before halftime in the SEC Championship Game, Stockton was thrust onto a huge stage. Though he didn’t throw it all over the field, he kept his composure and led Georgia to the win over Texas. Again in the College Football Playoff, he wasn’t an electric difference-maker, but why would he be that early in his career?
“What’s important was he showed poise, never looked overwhelmed in the moment and seemed like the next Georgia starter. Though Ryan Puglisi took the hard route and came to Georgia even with Dylan Raiola committed at the time, Stockton seems ahead in this race.”
On3 projects Stockton’s NIL value is $859,000, a number that could rise if the signal-caller is named the starting quarterback.