Kirby, Georgia Bulldogs Enter Spring w/ Quarterback Competition for 1st Time in Long Time
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ATHENS - For the first time in a long time, Georgia Bulldog coach Kirby Smart will have a legit quarterback competition heading into the spring.
The fact is we don’t know who will start next season at the Bulldogs’ most visible position. Todd Monken’s departure from the program appears to open up a three-way fight this spring. Mike Bobo will be the primary person in change of the signal callers. Will his move to offensive coordinator change things up?
That’s a good question. It is hard to believe that it will in a significant way. Bobo came to Georgia about this time a year ago, so he understands what he’s working with his quarterbacks. Its not like everything is going to change at that spot because Bobo is taking over. He has beyond a basic understanding of Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton.
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Beck was Stetson Bennett’s backup in 2022, and he played a lot because of how many lopsided games the Bulldogs had in the fall. Vandagriff has played in five games total in his career at UGA. He has a seven-yard run and an incompletion to his credit. Stockton has not recorded a significant statistic yet in his career.
It is clear Beck has the upper hand heading into the spring. In 2021, Beck was very much in play to be the backup behind JT Daniels. But that didn’t happen for whatever reason - and the rest his history. Bennett took over, and never looked back. Two national titles later UGA will have to see who is next at quarterback.
Bobo’s task will be getting whoever is the starter, or the player leading the way after the spring, ready for the fall. Most insiders expect Beck to start in 2023. He’s been really good when he’s played.
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That said, this is going to be an actual quarterback battle - we just have a leader. Still, we will likely see this competition drag into the fall. After all, there’s no real pressure to name a starter anytime soon considering the start of the Bulldogs’ schedule. Not since 2018 have the Bulldogs been without a major opponent, or SEC game to start the season.
In fact, 2023 is the first time in Kirby’s tenure the Dawgs have not opened up with an SEC foe or major opponent in the first two weeks of the season. That will give Kirby, Bobo and the three quarterbacks some wiggle room at the start of the year.