Ranking Every Starting Quarterback in the Kirby Smart Era for the Georgia Bulldogs
Since Kirby Smart became the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs in 2016, the program has experienced significant success, including national championships, SEC titles, and a consistent presence in the College Football Playoff. A key part of that success has been the quarterback position, where Smart has had the luxury of coaching some of the most talented signal-callers in college football. However, not all quarterbacks are created equal, and some have had more success than others in leading the Bulldogs to glory.
In this article, we will rank every starting quarterback in the Kirby Smart era for the Georgia Bulldogs. This ranking will take into account each quarterback’s individual performance, leadership, impact on the team, and success during their time as the starter. While the rankings will inevitably be subjective, they are based on a combination of statistical success, leadership qualities, and their ability to win big games for Georgia.
1. Stetson Bennett (2020–2022)
Best Year: 2022 (National Champion)
There’s no question that Stetson Bennett deserves the top spot on this list. While his journey to becoming Georgia’s starting quarterback was anything but conventional, Bennett’s impact on the program cannot be overstated. Initially a walk-on who had to fight for playing time, Bennett went on to become one of the most successful quarterbacks in Georgia history.
Bennett was the starter during Georgia’s historic 2021 and 2022 seasons, culminating in back-to-back SEC titles and a national championship in 2022. His leadership, poise under pressure, and ability to perform in clutch situations made him a fan favorite and one of the most beloved quarterbacks in recent Georgia history. His performance in the national title game against Alabama in 2022, where he threw for over 300 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns, cemented his place as Georgia’s greatest quarterback under Smart.
Bennett’s career statistics are impressive, but what really sets him apart is his ability to rise to the occasion in big moments. Whether it was leading the Bulldogs to a comeback win over Alabama in the SEC Championship or guiding them to a dominant victory over Michigan in the College Football Playoff, Bennett consistently proved himself as a winner.
Key Stats:
- 2022: 4,127 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
- 2021: 2,862 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
- 2020: 1,179 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
Legacy: A national champion and a two-time SEC Champion, Stetson Bennett not only led Georgia to victory but also left a legacy of resilience, proving that perseverance and determination can lead to greatness.
2. Jake Fromm (2017–2019)
Best Year: 2017 (SEC Championship Appearance)
Jake Fromm was the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs during some of their most successful seasons under Kirby Smart. After taking over as a true freshman in 2017, Fromm led Georgia to a national championship appearance, narrowly losing to Alabama in one of the most thrilling title games in recent history. Fromm’s leadership, football IQ, and ability to make quick decisions in the pocket helped guide the Bulldogs to numerous victories during his three years as the starter.
Fromm’s career at Georgia was marked by consistency and reliability. He wasn’t the flashiest quarterback, but he had an uncanny ability to make the right throws at the right times. He also helped lead the Bulldogs to an SEC Championship in 2017 and was instrumental in getting Georgia back to the College Football Playoff in 2018.
Although Fromm’s success didn’t result in a national championship, his leadership and performance in key moments were critical in establishing Georgia as a national contender during the early years of the Smart era.
Key Stats:
- 2019: 2,611 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
- 2018: 2,608 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
- 2017: 2,615 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
Legacy: Fromm will always be remembered for his cool-headed leadership and ability to perform in clutch moments, making him one of the most reliable quarterbacks in Georgia’s recent history.
3. D’Wan Mathis (2020)
Best Year: 2020 (Opening Day Starter)
D’Wan Mathis was a highly-touted quarterback entering the 2020 season and was expected to be a key part of Georgia’s offensive future. He was thrust into the starting role at the beginning of the season following an injury to Jamie Newman, the transfer from Wake Forest who was supposed to be Georgia’s starter.
Mathis had an up-and-down season, showing flashes of his talent but also struggling with consistency. After an uninspiring performance against Arkansas in the season opener, Mathis was eventually replaced by Stetson Bennett, who would go on to lead Georgia for the remainder of the season. However, Mathis’ potential was clear, and he did manage to showcase his mobility and playmaking ability when given the opportunity.
While Mathis didn’t have the career at Georgia that many had hoped for, his potential as a dual-threat quarterback could still make him a dangerous player in future years. Unfortunately, Mathis transferred out of Georgia after the 2020 season, but his brief stint as the starter leaves a lot of what-ifs regarding what could have been had he been given more time to develop.
Key Stats:
- 2020: 55.6% completion percentage, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
Legacy: While Mathis didn’t leave a lasting legacy at Georgia, he represented the unpredictable nature of quarterback battles and the challenges that come with stepping into the spotlight too early.
4. JT Daniels (2020–2021)
Best Year: 2021 (Partial Season)
JT Daniels entered Georgia with a lot of fanfare after transferring from USC. He was widely regarded as a highly talented quarterback with the ability to take Georgia’s offense to the next level. Daniels began the 2020 season as the backup to Stetson Bennett but became the starter in the latter half of the season after recovering from an injury. During his time as a starter, Daniels showcased his arm strength, accuracy, and poise, but unfortunately, injuries would plague his tenure in Athens.
In 2021, Daniels had the chance to lead the Bulldogs as their primary quarterback but again faced injuries that hampered his ability to stay on the field. Although he showed promise when healthy, Daniels’ time as Georgia’s starting quarterback was short-lived, and he was eventually replaced by Bennett as the starter.
Daniels’ time at Georgia will be remembered for his potential, but unfortunately, his inability to stay healthy ultimately limited his impact on the program. His departure from the team allowed Bennett to seize control of the starting role and help lead Georgia to a national championship.
Key Stats:
- 2021: 1,231 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
- 2020: 1,231 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Legacy: Daniels was a quarterback with immense potential, but his inability to remain healthy and secure the starting job for a full season kept him from realizing that potential at Georgia.
5. Jamie Newman (2020)
Best Year: N/A (Did Not Play)
Jamie Newman, a transfer from Wake Forest, was expected to be the starting quarterback for Georgia in 2020 after being highly praised for his ability to run and throw the ball. However, Newman opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Newman never played a snap for Georgia, and his potential impact on the program remains a mystery.
While many thought Newman could have been the dynamic quarterback Georgia needed, his decision to opt-out ended up being one of the most significant “what-ifs” in recent Georgia football history. With Newman’s departure, the Bulldogs turned to Stetson Bennett and D’Wan Mathis, which ultimately led to Georgia’s success that season despite the quarterback shuffle.
Key Stats:
- N/A (did not play)
Legacy: Although Jamie Newman never played for Georgia, his arrival was highly anticipated, and his decision to opt out left a hole that the Bulldogs had to fill in a challenging year.
