With Gunner Stockton set to return for another season in Athens, Georgia’s quarterback picture for 2026 is starting to take shape-but it’s far from settled. While Stockton is the clear frontrunner to lead the Bulldogs’ offense, the situation behind him is where things get interesting.
Ryan Puglisi, a talented young signal-caller who could’ve easily taken his chances in the transfer portal, has decided to stay and battle it out in Athens. That decision speaks volumes about his mindset, but it also sets the stage for a potentially crowded-and highly competitive-QB room.
Enter Bryson Beaver.
The former Oregon commit, a four-star recruit out of Murrieta, California, is trending toward a transfer to Georgia. If that move becomes official, Beaver would effectively be Georgia’s late-cycle answer to the loss of Jared Curtis. Curtis, a longtime Georgia target, flipped to Vanderbilt just ahead of National Signing Day, leaving the Bulldogs scrambling to fill a spot they’d long hoped would be his.
Beaver’s potential arrival wouldn’t just add another name to the roster-it would shift the dynamic entirely. He’d be joining a quarterback group already featuring Stockton, Puglisi, Ryan Montgomery, and Hezekiah Millender. That’s a lot of arms in one room, and while Kirby Smart has historically leaned toward developing quarterbacks over multiple years-think Stetson Bennett IV, Carson Beck, and now Stockton-there’s always room for a player to make an early impact if he proves he’s ready.
For Puglisi, the challenge is clear: step up or risk getting left behind.
This is the kind of pressure that defines a player’s trajectory. Stockton didn’t walk into a starting job-he earned it, grinding through years of development and competition.
That same environment now surrounds Puglisi. He’s got the tools, no doubt.
But the flashes we’ve seen so far have come with some inconsistent decision-making. If Georgia is going to make another serious run in the SEC, they’ll need more than just a capable backup-they’ll need someone who can step in and keep the offense humming if Stockton misses time.
And here’s where Beaver’s presence could be a catalyst. Even if he’s initially seen as a depth piece, he’s still a four-star talent.
That matters. Whether or not Smart puts much stock in recruiting stars, those labels carry weight early on.
They get players on the field in practice. They create opportunities.
And they push the guys ahead of them on the depth chart to tighten up every rep.
So while Beaver’s potential transfer might not shake the SEC headlines just yet, it’s a move that could have real implications for Georgia’s quarterback room. It’s not just about having another option-it’s about fostering the kind of internal competition that keeps everyone sharp.
For Puglisi, this is a defining moment. He’s got the benefit of another year in the system, the trust of the coaching staff, and a shot to cement himself as the next man up.
But with Beaver possibly on the way, the margin for error just got a little thinner. Practice reps will matter more.
Scrimmage performances will carry more weight. And when the lights come on in the fall, any opportunity-whether it’s mop-up duty or meaningful snaps-will be a chance to prove he belongs.
If Beaver does end up signing and enrolling, it’ll round out a QB room that’s as deep as any in the country. But depth is only valuable if it’s paired with development.
Georgia’s quarterback legacy under Smart has been built on patience, preparation, and competition. This next chapter looks like more of the same-and that’s exactly how the Bulldogs like it.