Kirby Smart lays out Georgia's spring play for quarterback battle
ATHENS, Ga. — Ready for a quarterback competition at Georgia? You might just get one. Kirby Smart says that there absolutely will be one but only time will tell whether or not it’s a foregone conclusion that the favorite, Carson Beck, will be the guy.
Smart spoke with reporters on Tuesday, the first day of UGA spring drills, where he revealed at least part of the plan this spring. Beck and Brock Vandagriff will get the heaviest of looks with Gunner Stockton also competing.
“We think we have three really good quarterbacks,” Smart said prior to the first UGA spring practice. “I’m really excited about all three of those guys to grow and get better. We will never, well, I won’t say never, it’s not right. We will not be live (let them get hit). We have not been live with our quarterbacks in the seven years that I’ve been here so we will not be live with them unless we decide we need to.
I do look forward to seeing Carson and Brock getting a lot of that action. They’ll both rep with the ones. As far as how much, that’ll play itself out over the course of spring. Gunner has come a long way. I’m excited to see what those guys can do. They’ve been excited about meeting and doing things with coach (Mike) Bobo and the offensive staff. I’m excited to see those guys go practice and compete.”
Smart also said that Vandagriff has added up to 15 pounds of good weight and muscle while adding that Beck has lost a few pounds. The two are apparently of very similar size at this point in the process.
Beck looked tremendous in mop-up duty last season. He came on in relief of Stetson Bennett seven times, completing 26 of 35 passes for 310 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Yeah, those appearances were when the game was out of hand but it’s markedly better than Beck’s work in similar situations the season before.
Vandagriff hasn’t played much at all to this point, attempting just three passes and running the football just once for seven yards. Stockton hasn’t appeared in a game at all.
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Georgia quarterbacks hear a new voice…
That trio of triggermen won’t be listening to the same voice in 2023. Todd Monken was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season. He is now the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Buster Faulkner, an offensive analyst who worked closely with the quarterbacks, is off to Georgia Tech as the offensive coordinator.
In steps Mike Bobo, who spent 14 years at UGA with Mark Richt and shared the field with Smart as a player. Bobo was an analyst at Georgia last year but he spent more time with the tight ends and coaching the coaches than working with quarterbacks.
According to the out-going offensive coordinator, the “new” guy has plenty to work with. That has Smart fired up.
“I don’t think people give Carson enough credit for being a good athlete,” Smart said. “He was a really good baseball player. He has great movement skills. He’s not going to run as fast as Stetson. I think Brock is a good athlete who can see the field. Carson has probably played a little more but both those guys are good. And look, I wouldn’t count Gunner Stockton out of this thing because this kid is talented, smart. I got to see him on the scout team the entire year. We saw him grow.
“When Monken left, I asked him where he thought our quarterback room was. He was very adamant that we have three talented young quarterbacks and Mike inheriting that room certainly feels that way too. Excited about those guys.’
