Following Carson Beck’s transfer to Miami, the Georgia Bulldogs will be led by a new quarterback during the 2025 NCAA season. Though most signs point to Gunner Stockton becoming the number one guy in Kirby Smart‘s offense, freshman quarterback Ryan Puglisi voiced a blunt admission, making one thing clear to Smart.
The Dawgs will face a steep, uphill battle during the 2025 college football season. Following last year’s exit at the quarterfinals stage, Smart and Georgia will look to avenge their loss and hopefully capture the program’s fifth national championship, and third in the last five years.
Stockton got a taste of the expectations that come with being Georgia’s starting quarterback late in the season, stepping in after Beck suffered a UCL injury in his right elbow. While Stockton helped guide the Dawgs to an SEC Championship Game win over the Texas Longhorns, he fell short against Notre Dame in the second round of the playoffs.
The starting quarterback job is far from set in stone, but Puglisi is going against the odds. He’s only a freshman, while Stockton — a redshirt junior — has been with Kirby Smart’s Georgia program since 2022.
That’s not cooling the fire under Puglisi, who’s eager to showcase his talent and brimming with confidence. He made that clear with a bold message for Smart — a warning shot to Stockton not to rest on his laurels.
“I definitely think I can, I could (be UGA’s starting quarterback) right now, definitely,” Puglisi firmly stated, per On3. “I think if you’re at the quarterback position and you don’t believe that you could play, you should probably do something else, because you need some confidence.”
Dawg mindset
Puglisi, a four-star recruit out of Avon, Connecticut, has already shown flashes of his potential in Georgia’s early practices. While he appears to be trailing Stockton — who’s already been battle-tested — his confidence isn’t wavering anytime soon.
“At Georgia, no matter who you are, no matter where you are on the depth chart, you’re always going to compete,” Puglisi added. “I think you’re competing with yourself everyday as well, just trying to be better than you were yesterday. Putting your head down and going to work every single day no matter where you are on the depth chart.”
A marathon, not a sprint
“Both those guys are doing a great job,” Kirby Smart said. “I’m really pleased with where both of them are at. Ryan’s taking some reps with the ones. Gunner continues to grow and get better. I think both those guys are doing a great job.”
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With Georgia’s spring game set for April 12, Stockton remains the starter for now, but the jury is still out. The table could turn in Puglisi’s favor by the time the Dawgs make their official NCAA debut on August 30 against Marshall.