For the first time in two seasons, Georgia has a sure-fire starting quarterback. Kirby Smart has tabbed Stetson Bennett as UGA’s signal caller headed into the 2022 season.
As the kickoff versus No, 11 Oregon looms, Smart gives his take on the backup quarterback race, consisting of junior Carson Beck and sophomore Brock Vandagriff after Georgia’s second scrimmage of camp on Saturday.
The Bulldogs have had plenty of drama at quarterback ever since heralded Jake Fromm departed to the NFL after the 2019 season.
Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman was the guy for about two weeks in 2020 before opting out citing COVID-19 concerns. Then a battle ensued between D’Wan Mathis, now a starter at Temple, and Stetson Bennett before J.T Daniels stepped in for the rest of the year.
In 2021 the legend of ‘The Mailman’ was born as Bennett resurged after Daniels’ injury and led the Bulldogs to the promise land.
Entering 2022 the Bulldogs have one of the strongest quarterback rooms in the country due, in part, to Beck and Vandagriff.
“I think both of those guys have done an incredible job. They’re going to be really good quarterbacks,” Smart said. “They understand our system at a high level, they’ve been through springs, they’re both playing winning football and I’m pleased with both of their growths. We continue to get them more opportunities because we’re trying to evaluate them as a one, more than you are as a two or three because sometimes the offensive line changes when you do that.”
Even true freshman Gunner Stockton, a former four-star prospect, has made strides in his own right.
“I thought Gunner made some really good plays today,” Smart said. “You don’t get to see as much of Gunner because we do fours in our practice. He gets reps, which is good, but he gets primary reps in the scrimmage when he gets to go out there with the threes and things. And I thought he did a good job. I have a lot of confidence in all of our quarterbacks.”
