ATHENS — Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was generally impressed with how Gunner Stockton seemed more prepared to play this season, even before the redshirt sophomore was thrust into the starting role to replace the injured Carson Beck, who has since declared for the 2025 NFL draft.
“I can’t say enough for the way he started the season and approached every game,” Bobo said. “Which sometimes that’s just words that we say, you’ve got be ready. But his day in and day out, how he approached getting ready for the game as if he was the starter, I think has prepared him for this moment. If you asked me that last year, I don’t think he had that same mindset. We talked about it going into the season, you’ve got to prepare as you’re the starter every week. And he took that to heart, and he did an excellent job of that.”
Stockton is now poised to make his first career start against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. At practice on Friday, Stockton was the first quarterback going through drills. But Stockton’s ascension also means Ryan Puglisi and Jaden Rashada will have elevated roles for the remainder of the season.
In the SEC Championship game, Georgia coach Kirby Smart shared that Puglisi, a freshman from Paxton, Mass., would’ve entered the game when Stockton exited had Beck not been able to hand the ball off to Trevor Etienne for the winning score.
Puglisi was working as the second-team quarterback during practice Friday, though Rashada has also taken reps with the second unit.
“They’re getting more reps. They’ve done a nice job,” Bobo said. “I think since day one to now, I don’t even know what day we’re on, you’ve seen good and bad every day. You’re seeing less bad and seeing more good, and they’ve got to prepare because you never know, knock on wood, what’s going to happen at any given moment for those guys to prepare to get ready to play.”
While Rashada might be behind Stockton and Puglisi at the moment, he’s the only quarterback on Georgia’s roster with starting experience. He started three games for the Arizona State Sun Devils last season before transferring.
Rashada did not get the chance to go through spring drills, while Puglisi was at least somewhat able to do so. He was held out of the G-Day scrimmage, though, due to a knee injury.
Rashada had the most impressive throw of the open practice period Friday, as he uncorked a deep pass that hit Colbie Young in stride.
There’s no doubt that Georgia has talent in its quarterback room, even if it is lacking in seasoning at the moment.
“They’ve got more opportunities because we’re down a quarterback,” Bobo said. “And with how we practice at the University of Georgia, coach (Kirby) Smart is going to continue to try to develop (them).”
SUGAR BOWL
CFP quarterfinal
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame at New Orleans, Wednesday, 8:45 p.m., ESPN, 750 AM, 95.5 FM
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