In an era where the college football quarterback carousel spins faster than ever-thanks to the transfer portal and NIL-fueled impatience-Georgia’s approach to developing signal-callers feels almost throwback. But it’s working. And Ryan Montgomery is fully bought in.
The former four-star from Ohio spent last season as Georgia’s third-string quarterback, and he’s set to reprise that role in 2026. In today’s game, that kind of depth chart reality often sends young QBs packing.
Not Montgomery. He’s staying put, embracing the grind, and trusting the process in Athens.
“This is a place where I wanted to be,” Montgomery said at the Sugar Bowl. “Practice against the best.
Develop. It is going to take time.
I’ve seen steady improvements in my game since I’ve been here. It’s been a great opportunity thus far and I’m excited to just continue to be here and learn and grow.”
That mindset isn’t just refreshing-it’s foundational to how Kirby Smart has built his quarterback room. Montgomery’s not blind to the uphill climb. He knew what he was signing up for.
“You look at the past couple quarterbacks,” he said. “It takes time for them to get on the field and I understood that when I committed here. I came here to be developed and I have no plans on leaving or anything like that.”
That’s not just talk. Georgia’s quarterback lineage under Smart tells the story.
Stetson Bennett IV didn’t just walk into the job-he fought for it, left, came back, and carved out one of the most improbable careers in college football history. Carson Beck waited his turn behind Bennett, and when his number was called, he delivered with poise and production.
Gunner Stockton? He’s the next man up, and he’s followed the same patient path.
Even Jake Fromm, who got his shot early due to an injury to Jacob Eason, spent three seasons as the starter and helped solidify the “learn before you lead” culture in Athens.
Montgomery is now part of that lineage. In 2026, he’ll be backing up Ryan Puglisi, who in turn will be backing up Stockton. That’s three deep in a room built on patience, preparation, and internal competition-not portal panic.
And that’s by design. Kirby Smart isn’t in the business of rushing quarterbacks onto the field before they’re ready.
He’s built a culture where development isn’t just a buzzword-it’s a blueprint. Georgia doesn’t just recruit talent; it molds it.
Look no further than the way Bennett carried himself-relentless, unshakable, a two-time national champion who earned everything he got. Beck brought a different skill set, but he learned from Bennett’s example and turned himself into one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the country. Now Stockton is applying those lessons, and Montgomery is soaking it all in.
There’s a rhythm to this. A quarterback at Georgia doesn’t just show up and play; he earns the job by learning how to handle it.
The pressure, the expectations, the leadership-it’s all part of the package. And it’s not for everyone.
But for guys like Montgomery, it’s exactly the kind of challenge they want.
Whether it’s Puglisi in 2027 or Montgomery in 2028 or beyond, Georgia’s quarterback pipeline is built on the idea that underclassmen learn from upperclassmen. It’s an old-school model in a new-school world, but it’s proving to be one of the most sustainable in college football.
Programs across the country are burning through QBs who want instant gratification. Georgia’s cooking theirs low and slow.
For now, Montgomery will keep doing what he’s been doing-learning, competing, and waiting for his shot. His time will come. And when it does, he’ll be ready.