QB Ryan Puglisi makes the most of his first game action with Georgia
ATHENS — He may not have been the first quarterback to take the field for Georgia on Saturday, but Ryan Puglisi finally got a chance to show what he could do in a Georgia uniform.
After not appearing in a game last season, Puglisi completed 5 of 8 pass attempts for 59 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown went to freshman Elyiss Williams, with Puglisi hitting the massive tight end in stride to put Georgia up 45-0.
“He’s a really good quarterback,” cornerback Ellis Robinson said of Puglisi. “I’ve been knowing him for a good little minute now. So I’ve been knowing that he can do, he can throw the ball well. He’s a really good athlete and a really good ball thrower, so.”
Puglisi committed to Georgia in October 2022, when Todd Monken was still Georgia’s offensive coordinator. Despite offers to go elsewhere, and Georgia having the commitment for fellow 2024 quarterback prospect Dylan Raiola, Puglisi remained loyal to Georgia throughout the process.
At the 11th hour, Raiola flipped his commitment to Nebraska. He started every game as a freshman, along with the 2025 season-opening win against Cincinnati.
Puglisi didn’t play at all in his first season in Georgia. He dealt with a knee injury as he arrived on campus, limiting the number of practice reps he could’ve received in his first spring.
He nearly got on the field in the SEC championship game last season when Gunner Stockton’s helmet went flying, but Kirby Smart opted to insert an injured Carson Beck back into the game instead of the green Puglisi.
The game against Marshall showed that Puglisi is the clear backup to Stockton. The redshirt freshman quarterback didn’t enter the game until the score was 38-0 in the third quarter.
Stockton carried the ball 10 times Saturday in his first start inside Sanford Stadium. As that game, along with the Texas showing, displays, Stockton is going to open himself up to opposing defenders.
That is why it is critical that Puglisi be ready while he continues his own development path.
“Yeah, that’s what we’ve seen really in camp practices with him,” Smart said of Puglisi’s performance. “He does a nice job in the pocket. He’s got really good arm talent. He understands the game. He’s taking more and more reps. I think the plays that we’re called with him in there, he’s very comfortable with, and he does a good job. When given the opportunity, we’re gonna continue to develop him.”
Puglisi may operate best from the pocket, but his performance against Marshall showed he is not exactly a statue either. Puglisi picked up 13 yards on the ground, scrambling when the play broke down.
Georgia is a huge favorite in its next game against Austin Peay. If Stockton and the starting offense take care of business, Puglisi should get another opportunity to showcase what he can do in a Georgia uniform.
Which will further help Puglisi and Georgia when the time comes for Puglisi to be Georgia’s first-string quarterback.
About the Author
Connor Riley has been covering the University of Georgia since 2014 before moving to DawgNation full-time before the 2018 season. He helps in all areas of the site such as team coverage, recruiting, video production, social media and podcasting. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2016.
