Ryan Puglisi Is Betting on Himself - and Georgia’s QB Room Is Better for It
ATHENS - In an era where college quarterbacks are more mobile than ever - and we’re not just talking about their footwork - Ryan Puglisi is staying put. Among the 32 blue-chip quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class, only nine are still with the programs they originally signed with.
Puglisi is one of them. And he’s doing it the hard way.
The former No. 10 overall quarterback recruit didn’t transfer, didn’t chase a starting job at a smaller school, didn’t hit the portal when Georgia brought back Gunner Stockton as the clear-cut starter. Instead, he doubled down. He stayed in Athens, betting that competition, development, and patience will pay off in the long run.
“I think eventually if you want to get to where you want to go - obviously my goal is to play in the NFL for a long time - you’re going to have to compete no matter what,” Puglisi said before Georgia’s Sugar Bowl matchup against Ole Miss. “Just having that mindset, be ready to compete every play.”
That mindset is what’s keeping him in one of the most competitive quarterback rooms in the country. And it’s not just lip service.
Puglisi saw the field in seven games this season, completing 16 of 27 passes for 161 yards, with a touchdown against Marshall and interceptions against Kentucky and Tennessee. Not eye-popping numbers, but valuable reps nonetheless - especially in a system that demands precision and poise.
Make no mistake: Georgia isn’t just keeping Puglisi around for depth. They see something in him. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has watched him grow, not just in mechanics and reads, but in the mental side of the game.
“He had a great role model when he came in last year,” Bobo said. “Carson [Beck] did a great job mentoring him. And then seeing Gunner, how he worked and prepared as the backup - Ryan’s been able to watch both of those guys and learn how to go about your business.”
And that business, in Athens, is serious. Kirby Smart’s practices are famously intense, and Puglisi’s been sharpening his game every day against one of the best defenses in college football. That kind of daily challenge is something you can’t simulate elsewhere - and Puglisi knows it.
“I feel like I’ve grown pretty well,” he said. “The practices Coach Smart puts together are always second to none. We’re going against the best defense every day, so I’m getting a lot better.”
That growth hasn’t gone unnoticed. Bobo praised Puglisi for preparing like a starter, even when it’s clear he’s not the guy - yet. That’s not something every young quarterback does, and Bobo hinted that even Stockton had to learn that the hard way.
“Ryan’s a self-motivated kid,” Bobo said. “He’s got a natural competitive instinct.
He didn’t flinch when we were recruiting other guys. He’s never flinched.”
That includes during his recruitment, when Georgia had a commitment from five-star Dylan Raiola. Puglisi didn’t back off.
He committed to Georgia anyway. Raiola eventually flipped to Nebraska, seeking immediate playing time, and after two seasons, he transferred again - this time to Oregon, where he’s now poised to back up in 2026.
Puglisi? Still in Athens.
Still grinding. Still waiting for his shot - and getting better every week.
“He wants to be here,” Bobo said. “He wants to develop in this system, and he has.
He went from hardly getting any reps as the three, to getting every rep as the two. We see his development.
I’m really pleased with where he is as a football player and a possible leader in this program.”
It’s easy to chase the spotlight. It’s a lot harder to stay in the shadows and keep working.
But that’s exactly what Ryan Puglisi is doing - and if Georgia needs him, he’ll be ready. Because when you’re one play away, there’s no room for flinching.