Kirby Smart discusses Georgia's QB battle as spring practices kick off

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have won back-to-back national championships with Stetson Bennett IV at quarterback.

But now the former walk-on’s storybook career is continuing on to the NFL, so the Bulldogs need a new QB1 heading into the 2023 season as they go for a 3-peat.

On Tuesday, as Georgia kicks off spring practices, Smart was asked about the QB situation.

Smart said the quarterbacks would not be full-contact this spring, but added that Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff would split reps with the first team:

Kirby Smart on Brock Vandagriff and Carson Beck: "I think those guys would argue who has the stronger arm … Brock is a really good athlete. Brock has added about 14 or 15 pounds of muscle … And Carson has lost a little weight, so they're right at the same size"

— Jordan D. Hill (@JordanDavisHill) March 14, 2023

Smart did say that the battle is wide open, cautioning assembled media members not to count Gunner Stockton out of the competition just yet:

Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff will share first-team reps to start spring, per Kirby Smart, who also says: "I wouldn't count Gunner Stockton out of this thing."

— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) March 14, 2023

Beck received the most reps as Bennett’s backup in 2022, although playing time behind the decorated starter was incredibly limited. Beck completed 26 of his 35 pass attempts for 310 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He also ran 7 times for 43 yards.

Vandagriff went 0-for-2 passing and ran 1 time for 7 yards.