Georgia Quarterbacks last 10 years are Stetson Bennett, JT Daniels, D'Wan Mathis, Jake Fromm, Jacob Eason, Greyson Lambert, Hutson Mason and Aaron Murray.
UGA boasts an array of top NCAA football players on its roster each year. The Bulldogs football team has won the NCAA championship 4 times, with the recent triumph coming in 2022.
Ten players from the Georgia University roster made it to the 2023 NFL Draft. While the Bulldogs QBs have taken fewer spots in the Draft over the years, UGA has bid farewell to its 371 players so far.
Hence, the Bulldogs come in the tenth position of having most of its team members get drafted at NFL draft events throughout the time. This article delves into the history of the University of Georgia quarterbacks.
Georgia QBs History
Georgia football program began in 1892, and they had won their first-ever game against Mercer University on January 30 that year.
Since then, QBs have made significant moves in college football history to be noted for. The following list includes the role of Georgia football quarterbacks in shaping the team's future to date:
- In 1896, Richard Von Albade Gammon led the team toward the team's first conference championship by winning the SIAA championship.
- George "Kid" Woodruff captained the Bulldogs in 1911. As he and his older brother "Big Kid" both played as QBs for the Bulldogs, Woodruff Hall has been named after them. Kid later coached a new generation of Bulldogs from 1922 to 1927.
- Qb David Paddock became Georgia's second All-American in 1914.
- Buck Cheves was the first q-back of Georgia to be called a Bulldog in 1920.
- Johnny Broadnax and H. F. Johnson played on the UGA's "Dream and Wonder team" at the 1927 South Conference games.
- QB Frank Tarkenton led the Bulldogs to the 1959 SEC Championship. He is an inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Kirby Moore led the Bulldogs to the 1966 SEC Championship, while Mike Cavan guided them to the 1968 SEC Championship.
- Prominent q-backs Matt Robinson and Ray Goff led the Bulldogs to the 1976 SEC Championship.
- Buck Belue led the team to the 1980 National Championship. He was a key figure in winning the 1980 and 1981 SEC Championships.
- John Lastinger led the Bulldogs to the 1982 SEC Championship.
- David Greene led his team to the 2002 SEC Championship, while another Qb D.J. Shockley led the team to the 2005 SEC Championship.
- Matthew Stafford, who played in UGA from 2006 to 2008, is the first Bulldog QB to win a Super Bowl. He won with the LA Rams in 2022.
The Bulldogs have been able to shine bright throughout the years, thanks to the invaluable contributions of the Georgia Bulldogs q-backs.
Likewise, Stetson Bennett is the oldest quarterback to win the SEC championship. Bennett was drafted 128th overall in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Both of his parents are UGA graduates, while his paternal grandfather was a college football player.
UGA Quarterbacks by Year
UGA quarterbacks by year include Carson Beck in 2023, Stetson Bennett in 2020-22, JT Daniels in 2020-21, and D'Wan Mathis in 2020.
The Q-backs have been giving their best to the success of the team since 1892. The football program was started that year, 107 years after Abraham Baldwin founded the university.
Coming into 2023, the Bulldogs have bagged 12 division titles as they are a part of the NCAA's Division I FBS. Meanwhile, they have also won 16 conference titles in the Southeastern Conference.
List of Georgia Quarterbacks are:
| UGA Quarterbacks | Year Played |
| Carson Beck | 2023 |
| Stetson Bennett | 2020-22 |
| JT Daniels | 2020-21 |
| D'Wan Mathis | 2020 |
| Jake Fromm | 2017-19 |
| Jacob Eason | 2016 |
| Faton Bauta | 2015 |
| Greyson Lambert | 2015-16 |
| Hutson Mason | 2014 |
| Aaron Murray | 2010-13 |
The recently-graduated Q-back Stetson led the team toward the 2021–22 and 2022–23 National Championships. The 2017-2019 Qb Jake Fromm led the Bulldogs to the 2017 SEC Champions, but they were defeated in the 2018 Finals.
Meanwhile, the last decade's first starting Qb Aaron Murray graduated as the career passing yards leader in the Southeastern Conference.
Best Georgia Quarterbacks In NFL
UGA has recorded 15 quarterbacks making it into NFL during the draft in all these years. Stetson Bennett is the latest addition to the NFL.
The last Bulldog was Jake Fromm, who was selected in the fifth round as the 167th overall pick of the 2020 draft. Meanwhile, the first-ever Bulldog to have made it to the draft was John Rauch, picked second at the 1949 NFL Draft by Detroit Lions.
Though all of these 15 Q-backs contributed to the team's success, here are the top 5 best Georgia Qbs in NFL:
- David Greene
- Stetson Bennett
- Aaron Murray
- Matthew Stafford
- Fran Tarkenton
UGA players in the league have been in greater numbers as of the 2023 season which most of the NFL teams having Bulldogs on their roster.
David Greene (2001-2004)
David was named the starting Qb of the Bulldogs even before the start of the NCAA football season. However, he started his college career as a redshirt freshman in 2001.
Greene then guided the Bulldogs to win the Sugar Bowl at first, followed by the SEC championship in 2002. He was also named SEC Offensive Rookie of the Year after the 2001 season and was the 2002 Offensive Player of the Year for The Southeastern Conference.
Greene was the winningest Qb in NCAA Division I history, with 42 wins in four years when he graduated. He was selected in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2005 NFL Draft by Seattle Seahawks.
David moved around the roster of the Patriots, Chiefs, and Colts before announcing his retirement in 2008. He initially worked as an insurance broker alongside his former Bulldog teammate, Matt Stinchcomb.
Aaron Murray (2010-2013)
Murray had committed to UGA in 2008 but became a redshirt during his freshman season because of a shoulder injury. He became the starting Q-back for the team in 2010.
During his time as the starter, he led the Bulldogs to a 36-18 record and made history as Georgia's highest in terms of passing 921 of 1,478 for 13,166 yards and 121 touchdowns.
His passing yards remain the all-time SEC record. Aaron was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round as the 163rd overall at the 2014 NFL Draft. From 2014 to 2017, Murray played for the Cardinals, Eagles, and Rams before playing in XFL and retiring from pro football.
Stetson Bennett (2020-2022)
Also known as the Mailman, Bennett was a walk-on at Georgia his freshman season. He transferred to Jones College in 2018 after Justin Fields had joined the Bulldogs the same year.
Stetson again joined UGA as their second-string Qb after a season at Jones. He was Jacob Fromm's backup and hopped between a starting and backup role till the 2021 season.
Bennett was a key figure in winning the 2021 and the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship games, where he was named MVP both years.
Stetson was also a Heisman Trophy final candidate in 2022 though he did not win. However, he won the 2022 Manning Award and Burlsworth Trophy before moving into NFL.
Matthew Stafford (2006-2008)
Matthew played from 2006 to 2008 as a true freshman Qb. He quickly grabbed success by becoming the 2006 UGA Offensive Newcomer of the Year and being named to the 2006 SEC Coaches' All-Freshman Team.
Furthermore, Stafford was also named to the Second-team All-SEC in 2008 and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2009 Capital One Bowl.
Regarding his NFL career, Stafford was selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft. He currently ranks in the top 20 list of all-time in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.
He and the Rams bagged the Super Bowl LV victory over the Bengals in 2021, making him the first UGA player to do so, per Fox Sports.
Fran Tarkenton (1959–1960)
Tarkenton represented UGA from 1958-60 while he was the starting QB for the Bulldogs for the last year. Under the tutelage of head coach Wally Butts, Fran ushered his team toward the 1959 SEC championship.
Fran also became a first-team All-SEC selection in both 1959 and 1960. He was then selected as the 29th overall pick at the 1961 NFL Draft.
Fran played with the Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and moved in with the Giants from 1967 to 1971. He soon returned to the Vikings in 1972 and played with them till 1978 until his retirement.
During his 17 seasons in NFL, Tarkenton made nine appearances at Pro Bowl. He was named the 1975 NFL MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He was also the NFL passing touchdowns leader the same year.
Trakenton's other accomplishments include his title as the NFL completion percentage leader in 1977 and NFL passing yards leader in 1978.
