You can never have too many quarterbacks. Kirby Smart has never said those exact words, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. And nothing is more accurate than how he handles Georgia’s quarterbacks. In 2020, he brought in transfers Jamie Newman and JT Daniels after Jake Fromm entered the draft and Justin Fields transferred to Ohio State. Newman never played a snap, and Daniels couldn’t stay healthy enough to beat Stetson Bennett. Bennett was a little old walk-on who became a Bulldog legend and two-time National Champion. During the last two recruiting cycles, Smart has looked to try to haul in the top quarterbacks in the game. Arch Manning and Dylan Raiola were the prizes, but Georgia missed out. Smart is relentless, though, and despite wrapping up Spring Ball a week ago, he made two big moves to show that he is still focused on finding the best.
Big news dropped on Thursday as Arizona State quarterback Jaden Rashada announced he was transferring to the Bulldogs. Rashada was just completing his freshman season with the Sun Devils and was one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the Spring portal. This follows up on Ryan Montgomery’s commitment last week. Here is a closer look at Georiga’s quarterback room heading into the 2024 season and what each player will bring to Athens.
The Current State of Georgia’s Quarterback Room
Georgia currently has three scholarship quarterbacks coming out of Spring ball. Carson Beck returns as the Bulldogs starting quarterback in 2024. In 2023, the Bulldogs’ quarterback was named to the Coaches All-SEC Second Team and was a finalist for the Manning Award. He started all 14 games, ranking third nationally with 3,941 passing yards and fourth in completion percentage at .724, leading the SEC in both categories.
Redshirt Sophomore Gunner Stockton is slated as Beck’s backup. The Redshirt Sophomore from Tiger, Georgia, is a former five-star recruit. Stockton has seen limited action after playing behind Beck and Brock Vandagriff in his short time in Athens. With Vandagriff off to Lexington, Stockton is ready to assume the understudy role and make his mark in 2025.
The only other scholarship quarterback on Georgia’s roster was Ryan Puglisi. The former Avon Old Farms (CT.) quarterback signed in December and missed most of Spring camp with a lower-body injury. As a senior at Avon Old Farms, the four-star quarterback led the team to a 7-2 record and a berth in the Drew Gamere NEPSAC Bowl. He completed 118 passes for 1,693 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding three more scores on the ground.
Jaden Rashada: Georgia Quarterback in 2025?
Georgia fans should be familiar with Rashada, who made headlines last year when he walked away from Florida. His decision came after the Gator Collective—an independent fundraising group loosely associated with the university that compensates student-athletes for using their name, image, and likeness—allegedly failed to honor a multiyear agreement signed by both parties. He then left Florida and transferred to Arizona State.
Rashada, the No. 44 overall recruit in the 2023 class by 247Sports, started ASU’s first two games before a recurring high school injury requiring surgery sidelined him for nine games. He began the season strongly, completing 44 82 passes for 485 yards and four touchdowns. He became only the second freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for ASU, following Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
Added Depth in 2024
Rashada provides experienced depth for Smart and Georiga in 2024. He will look to compete with Stockton for the starting job in 2025. Competition is nothing new for Georiga. Competition is key to Georgia’s program under Smart. He shared his insights when asked if he was concerned that the competition could force some to enter the Transfer Portal.
In Gods Hands. pic.twitter.com/etjZmjimk7
— Jaden Rashada 5⃣ (@jadenrashada) April 19, 2024
“I think kids, a lot of times, we try to communicate with our kids well, be upfront with our kids. That is the nature of the beast. They turn on their phones and see other people doing it. It has become a trend. It is like anything else in social media. Why shouldn’t I be doing it if he is doing it? Is the grass greener on the other side? Ultimately, he is here. That is the only thing I am concerned with. I don’t think that is a story that I was thinking of going in and then returning. It is just the day and age that we live in. The most important thing is that he chose to be here and compete.” Puglisi, Rashada, and Stockton will face competition from Georgia’s newest commit.
Ryan Montgomery: Georiga’s Quarterback of the Future
This week, Georgia strengthened its quarterback lineup as Ryan Montgomery from Findlay, Ohio, committed to the team. The 6’3″, 220-pound quarterback from Findlay High School, who threw for 3,377 yards with a 68.6% completion rate and was a finalist for Ohio’s Mr. Football last Fall, found his fit after observing a practice. Montgomery stated that watching the competitive atmosphere at Georgia’s practice convinced him it was the right choice.
I’m
Go Dawgs https://t.co/BVlotBbwQ5
— Ryan Montgomery (@RyanMonty2025) April 17, 2024
“I visited for the first time for a Spring practice in April or March. I remember being on campus there, seeing practice, some of the players and coaches, and walking away thinking this is where I would want to be.” Montgomery said. “I would love to be at a place where the football is of that caliber and a place with that much tradition and is probably the hardest working program in the country. I’m wired in a way that fits Georgia because of their intensity, mentality, work ethic, and how important the game of football is to me.”
South Carolina and Florida were the other finalists for Montgomery’s service. He is looking to enroll in Athens in January after his senior season. With Montgomery and Rashada on the way, it’s safe to say Georgia’s quarterback room remains ELITE.
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