Georgia head coach Kirby Smart led the Bulldogs to a second consecutive SEC Championship last season, but the program’s quest for a third title in five years was cut short. Despite a dominant regular season, Georgia was bounced in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals by the Ole Miss Rebels, 39–34. Quarterback Gunner Stockton successfully led the Bulldogs to a 12–2 record after succeeding Carson Beck as the program’s QB1.
In a stellar first season under center in Athens, Stockton finished No. 7 in the final Heisman Trophy voting and established himself as the premier dual-threat signal-caller in the SEC. However, following the G-Day spring game on Saturday, April 18, questions regarding the depth behind Stockton have taken center stage in the Bulldogs’ community.
Analyst Details Kirby Smart’s Quarterback Room Issue
During Monday’s segment of the “Ruffino & Joe Show,” analyst Blake Ruffino expressed concern over Georgia’s lack of a proven backup. Ruffino pointed to Ryan Puglisi’s performance during the spring scrimmage as a sign that the Bulldogs may need to explore the transfer portal for an experienced QB2.
“They have a problem at quarterback,” Ruffino said. “It was time for Ryan Puglisi to take a stand and make a move and he didn’t do it, he looked lost. And Kirby goes out there and starts talking about the receivers, I’m not trying to come down on Kirby, but you gotta throw it in their general area. He had a good fadeout throw that was on the money.
“Knock on wood, you need Gunner Stockton to stay healthy… Why are you there for three years and are still missing insider throws that are 8-10 yard throws? …They gotta go to the portal.”
Seven quarterbacks took snaps during G-Day, but the primary battle for the backup role features Puglisi, redshirt freshman Ryan Montgomery, Bryson Beaver, and Hezekiah Millender. Puglisi finished the scrimmage 8-of-19 for 88 yards, while Montgomery went 10-of-18 for 132 yards, highlighted by a 48-yard completion to tight end Colton Heinrich. Beaver added a six-yard touchdown pass to Kaiden Prothro in the fourth quarter to keep the race competitive.
After the scrimmage, Smart addressed the ongoing battle for the No. 2 spot. “I don’t know that any of the three of them were so consistent to say, ‘Well, he’s the clear 2,’” Smart said. “Gunner had good days and bad days, but he’s the most consistent at making the right decision of where the ball goes. That’s half the battle at quarterback.”
Despite the uncertainty on the depth chart, Stockton’s individual production remains elite. Last season, he earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 88.0 after registering 2,894 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. His 462 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground were the most by an SEC quarterback in 2025, cementing his status as a Heisman frontrunner entering the 2026 campaign.
