Being a backup quarterback is often frustrating, but not for Georgia’s Ryan Montgomery. With the Bulldogs recently adding Bryson Beaver to the quarterback room, you’d expect Montgomery to be disheartened. But that’s not quite how it panned out.

“I came here to be developed,” Montgomery said. “That’s why I came to Georgia. It is such a prestigious program. The culture here is just different. I love being here in the facility. There’s really nowhere else I’d rather be. I love the guys in the room. My teammates. I’d do anything for them. It has just been an awesome opportunity. I’ve just been excited to learn, continue, and grow.”

Montgomery competed for the spot behind Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi as the third quarterback and played only one game. That itself would make some freshmen leave the program and look for other opportunities, but Montgomery expressed that he loves the competition he faces at Kirby Smart’s side, and it is helping him get bring out his best version.

That level of maturity is rare for a freshman, and it gives a clear picture of what Kirby Smart is trying to do at Georgia. It’s basically pitting talents against the more experienced ones to unlock potential. In the singular game Montgomery played last season (against the Charlotte 49ers), he completed his only pass of the game for 12 yards and won the game with a 35-3 score.

When Montgomery first committed to the Bulldogs, he publicly said he planned to make the program his home for the next three to five years. That commitment shows he is in it for the long run. With the maturity aforementioned, he could eventually grow into a starting role. Gunner Stockton is a good example for him to follow. He earned his first start for the Bulldogs last season after joining in 2022. With proper training, steady improvement, and perseverance, the Bulldogs could very well have a future starter in Montgomery in the years ahead.

In the upcoming season, Montgomery’s competition will only increase. Smart recruited Oregon-affiliated 4-star quarterback Bryson Beaver in the transfer portal after Dante Moore decided to return to the program. That means Smart now has four quarterbacks at his disposal, giving Georgia a very good depth at the position.

How Kirby Smart Got Bryson Beaver in the Transfer Portal

Bryson Beaver’s transfer portal journey was anything but straightforward. Beaver originally committed to Boise State in April last year. That changed in December, when Dan Lanning made an offer that Beaver couldn’t refuse and convinced him to sign with the Ducks.

After arriving on campus in early January, Beaver made another surprising decision by re-entering the transfer portal. The reason was simple. Dante Moore chose to return to Oregon for another season instead of entering the NFL Draft. On top of that, the Ducks also brought in Dylan Raiola from Nebraska through the portal. With these shake-ups, Beaver’s path to break through the starting role became effectively unrealistic.

Top Stories

Bills Officially Cut Ties With 4 Players as Josh Allen Remain Without HC After Philip Rivers Quits

Strahan Family in Mourning as Michael Strahan’s Cancer-Free Daughter Grieves Close Friend’s Loss After Cancer Battle

ICE to Conduct Immigration Enforcement at Patriots vs. Seahawks Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium, as Per Official

Coco Gauff Smashes Racket in Anger After Losing in Just 59 Minutes at Australian Open

Jerry Jones’ Cowboys Make Triple Firing Decision After Blocking Coach’s Exit

Dana White Shares Update On Hospitalized Paddy Pimblett After UFC 324

A highly regarded prospect, Beaver was ranked No. 174 overall and No. 12 among quarterbacks. The 6’3″, 200 lbs quarterback was also an Elite 11 finalist, which is one of the main reasons Lanning targeted him in the first place.

“This is a guy that really got hot late and had a lot of options,” Lanning said. “You fall in love with the family, the support system, and then you see the arm talent and the mental side. Those are things you want in your program.”

However, that plan did not last long. After Beaver entered the portal again, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs moved quickly for his commitment. Georgia had initially stayed quiet during Beaver’s recruitment. That’s because of how the circumstances shifted. Oregon originally pursued Beaver after Georgia landed quarterback Jared Curtis. Curtis later flipped his commitment and signed with Clark Lea’s Vanderbilt, reopening the door for Smart to add another quarterback.

Moore’s return to Oregon ended up working in Georgia’s favor. It allowed Smart to bring in Beaver and continue building quarterback depth with players he can develop for the future.