The top five Georgia football quarterbacks of the Twenty-first century

Number four – Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford may be the finest quarterback talent to perform in Sanford Stadium – a group that includes Brett Favre, Fran Tarkenton and all the Mannings.

Joe Tereshinski III won the starting job Stafford’s freshman season. Stafford took over after Joe T III’s injury and sparkled late in the season, leading the Dawgs to a road upset over Auburn, and a fourth quarter come from behind upset win over Tech.

Super sophomore

Stafford’s magical sophomore season revealed the promise of his immense talent as the Dawgs beat Alabama in overtime, outgunned Tim Tebow in the Celebration Game, trounced Auburn in the first Black Out, and pummeled Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.

Stafford fulfilled that promise statistically the next season. As a junior, he totaled 25 passing touchdowns against 10 interceptions and 3459 yards, 66 shy of Eric Zeier’s pass happy senior season total. For the team, though, the season was a disappointment.

With no SEC Championship game appearances and a 6 – 3 record against the Big Three of Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech, Stafford takes the four spot in our ranking despite being drafted number one overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.