Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton looks like he will start. Who will Georgia select as their backup, and how does that affect the team this year? The backup quarterback, long considered the team’s most popular player, recently took on a more profound meaning. With college passing more than ever, the need for a quality second-stringer is greater. Teams will scramble to find a quality backup, but many fail.
Georgia Coaching Staff Sets Eyes on One Passer to Back Up Starter Gunner Stockton
Late last season, starter Carson Beck went down with an injury. Georgia’s backup, Gunner Stockton, took over for Beck and led Georgia to a win in the SEC Championship game.
Now, the reins are his. With that said, who takes over for him as the backup? In recent history, Georgia backups usually become starters at some point, and if the past is prologue, then Head Coach Kirby Smart needs to make a sound decision. Pete Nakos, a college football insider from On3.com, detailed the one player that caught the coaches’ attention in camp and could be the backup.
“But arguably the biggest news out of the quarterback room entering the final days of fall camp is the progression of Ryan Puglisi. The former four-star recruit has taken a major step forward in his game since spring, sources have told On3. He better understands Mike Bobo’s offense, and his maturation has shown. One source said he’s in line to be Stockton’s backup this fall and has provided competition in training camp.”
Puglisi, a redshirt freshman from Paxton, Mass., attended Avon Old Farms (Conn.) High School, wowed in camp. Now, he looks behind Stockton, which is a high chance for a staff that loves to run with older signal callers. Coach Smart recently offered this critique.
Coach Smart shares his thoughts on the growth of QB Ryan Puglisi #GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/jnhzByuYfC
— UGASports.com (@ugasportscom) August 12, 2025
Looking at Georgia’s schedule, you will see ample opportunity for Puglisi to see the field this season. Yet, it’s not because he will unseat Stockton. More of Georgia could win many games by large margins, and the freshmen will see the field in mop-up duty. On top of that, he could benefit from Georgia’s home schedule, which is far easier at home than on the road as Georgia starts with Marshall and Austin Peay at Sanford Stadium.
Whether Georgia will need Puglisi to step up this year remains to be seen. However, football remains a sport of attrition where teams are one hit away from seeing a new quarterback under center. Under those circumstances, settling on a solid backup makes the most sense and takes the guesswork out of what could be a tense situation if Stockton suffers an injury.
