Ryan Puglisi Staying Put Gives Georgia a Much-Needed Anchor at Quarterback
Georgia fans can exhale-at least a little. After five-star quarterback Jared Curtis decommitted, the Bulldogs’ future under center looked suddenly murky.
Curtis was expected to be the heir apparent after Gunner Stockton, and his departure created a vacuum at the most important position on the field. But on Tuesday, Ryan Puglisi stepped up and delivered some much-needed clarity.
The former four-star signal-caller announced he’s staying in Athens, regardless of what Stockton decides to do this offseason. That’s a big deal for Georgia, both in terms of depth and long-term development.
Let’s break it down.
The Quarterback Dominoes in Athens
Gunner Stockton has a decision to make. He’s eligible for the NFL Draft and could opt to make the leap, especially after gaining more experience this season.
If he leaves, the Bulldogs would be left with a quarterback room that’s suddenly razor thin on experience. That’s where Puglisi’s decision becomes so crucial.
Before Tuesday, the nightmare scenario for Georgia was losing both Stockton and Puglisi in the same offseason-Stockton to the draft and Puglisi to the transfer portal. That would’ve left the Dawgs with no returning scholarship quarterbacks who’ve taken meaningful snaps. Not exactly ideal for a program with national championship expectations every year.
But now, even if Stockton does head to the pros, Georgia knows it has at least one talented, developing quarterback staying in-house.
Puglisi’s Development Track
Puglisi hasn’t seen much game action yet, but that’s not unusual for quarterbacks in Georgia’s system. This is a program that’s shown patience pays off.
Just look at how Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck developed over time. Even Stockton himself benefited from sitting and learning before stepping into a bigger role.
If Stockton returns for another season, it’s a win-win. Georgia gets a veteran quarterback to lead the offense in 2026, and Puglisi gets another year to develop behind the scenes-learning the system, adjusting to the speed of the college game, and preparing to take the reins in 2027.
That kind of developmental runway has worked well in Athens. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
Georgia doesn’t rush its quarterbacks. It builds them.
What Comes Next for Georgia’s QB Room
Even with Puglisi staying, Georgia’s quarterback depth chart isn’t exactly crowded. If Stockton heads to the NFL, the Bulldogs will likely need to dip into the transfer portal to bring in another arm-someone with experience who can either push Puglisi or serve as a reliable backup while he continues to grow.
But the key here is that Georgia isn’t starting from scratch. Puglisi’s commitment to the program gives the Bulldogs a foundation to build on.
He’s a talented passer with a big arm and the kind of upside that coaches love to mold. And now, he’s locked in.
Bottom Line
Ryan Puglisi’s decision to stay in Athens doesn’t solve every problem in Georgia’s quarterback room-but it solves a big one. Whether Stockton stays or goes, the Bulldogs now have a promising young quarterback who’s committed to the process.
And in a college football landscape where quarterbacks jump ship at the first sign of competition, that kind of loyalty-and patience-is rare. It’s also exactly what Georgia needs right now.
The Dawgs may still need to add depth this offseason, but with Puglisi in the fold, the future at quarterback is far from bleak. In fact, it might just be on track.