It’s not surprising Georgia head coach Kirby Smart elected not to name a starting quarterback at SEC media days on Tuesday ahead of fall camp.
We usually find out who will be under center minutes before the first game of the year, but there is a different feeling headed into the 2023 season.
Junior Carson Beck is the only quarterback on Georgia’s roster that has completed a pass in a game. Redshirt sophomore Brock Vandagriff, a former five-star recruit, appeared in two games last season and attempted two passes, but failed to record a completion.
Redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton did not make a game appearance in his first season in Athens.
Smart acknowledged “the No. 1 measure we have” for Georgia, in terms of quarterback play, is game-time experience.
“Brock has very limited game action. We didn’t give Brock an opportunity to open and do things in games,” Smart said on Tuesday. “Carson, we loosened up and did more things, so we’ve got more measurement there. Gunner (Stockton) didn’t get any. The closest thing these guys have to game action is the spring.”
Beck appeared in seven games last year in back-up duties behind Stetson Bennett, completing 26 of 35 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
Smart says the Bulldogs need to be careful “not to put a timetable” on deciding on the starter and noted that Georgia’s staff hasn’t always followed that blueprint in the past. Bennett, a two-time national champion, saw limited reps before taking the staring role.
“It’s way more important to get it right,” Smart said. “I can’t put a timetable on that or a volume of plays. I thought we did a really good job in the spring of doing that. Coach Bobo and the offensive staff bring me a sheet every day that says this is who is getting the 1’s percentage, this is who is getting the 2’s and who is getting the 3’s. The one luxury we have is Carson has had a greater volume, so if you’re willing to cut his volume, you’re able to increase the other two’s volumes with the ones. So, we’ll see how that goes. I just don’t know exactly how much right now.”
Joining Smart in Nashville was center Sedrick Van Pran, who deals more with the quarterbacks then any other player on the Bulldogs’ roster. Van Pran snapped to Bennett and anchored the offensive line during back-to-back national title seasons. When asked about how Beck and Vandagriff compared to Bennett, Van Pran noted each player is unique in their own way.
“Genuinely, I don’t think any of those guys are the same other than their poise. I think maybe they possess the poise of Stetson, but to be honest with you, everybody’s unique,” Van Pran said. “Everybody has their own individual skill set, how they like to lead, how they like to handle things, how they make like to call the plays, how they may like to talk to their teammates, all of those things are independent of themselves. And I think that’s what makes each guy themselves.”
All-American tight end Brock Bowers will serve as a sure-fire security blanket for whichever quarterback gets the nod this fall. Bowers echoed Smart’s mindset when it came to voicing his thoughts on who should lead the huddle in 2023.
“I’d hate to make the decision on who to start,” Bowers said. “It just comes down to the coaches and who I guess they trust more and trust to make the plays.”
Whether Beck or Vandagriff hold the keys to the offense under new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, the weapons the Bulldogs have should help growing pains subside.
Beyond Bowers, Georgia brings back its leading wide receiver, Ladd McConkey, and returns wideouts Arian Smith, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Dillon Bell. Transfer receivers Dominic Lovett (Missouri) and Rara Thomas (Mississippi State) led their respective teams in receiving last season.
