Kirby Smart updates the current state of second-string quarterback battle

Stetson Bennett is the guy in Athens ahead of the regular season for the first time in his career, meaning the national spotlight has been shone elsewhere regarding quarterback battles. There’s still a need for a reliable second option behind Bennett, and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is loving what he’s seeing from the rest of the quarterback room this camp.

While there isn’t a clear-cut No. 2, it’s between Brock Vandagriff and Carson Beck to fall in behind Bennett, which true freshman Gunner Stockton will have to take the back seat for now with a redshirt season likely ahead of him.

“I’ve said all camp that all three quarterbacks are doing an excellent job,” Smart said. “I’m so pleased with the progression of those guys all the way down to Gunner [Stockton], who hasn’t had as many reps in our system – or in general as Brock [Vandagriff] and Carson [Beck] has, and we try to have a lot of two spots where I feel like Gunner’s getting reps and getting work.

Smart said that the style of practices that Georgia runs have helped all three quarterbacks find their rhythm this camp. Smart said UGA practices involves two quarterbacks in live action around 80 percent of the time.

That has proven Smart that both Vandagriff and Beck have the ability to play winning football for Georgia if their number were to be called – so much so that Smart even feels comfortable with either quarterback running first-team reps every so often.

“I think both those guys have done an incredible job there,” Smart said of Vandagriff and Beck. “They’re really good quarterbacks and they understand our system at a high level. They’ve been through multiple springs, they’re both playing winning football. I’m pleased with both of their growth, and so I continue to give them more opportunities because I’m trying to evaluate them as a [starter] more than you are as a two or three.”

While neither is expected to be a major part of the Georgia Bulldogs offense in 2022 – barring any unforeseen setbacks to Bennett – both quarterbacks could find themselves on the field if Georgia were to put on the proverbial running clock in the second half of some games this season, which could prove to be invaluable when Bennett leaves the program at the end of the year.