Georgia Football in the past two decades has had great signal-callers. With Stetson Bennett leaving with two national titles many have said he is not only the greatest Georgia QB, but that he is the greatest player ever in school history. I wouldn’t go that far. I still think Herschel Walker is the greatest player in Georgia football history. But, is Stetson Bennett the greatest QB ever at Georgia? Let’s rank the top 5 Georgia Quarterbacks.
5. Fran Tarkenton
Winning the SEC title in 1959 after an almost ten-year drought. Fran Tarkenton became a UGA legend. Tarkenton changed the way the game was played. In the past, it was expected that when the pocket collapsed, a QB would fall. Tarkenton, who played street ball in the alleys of Athens growing up, did the exact opposite. He Scrambled. From then on, it was expected for the QB to move outside the pocket and either run for it or throw the ball on the way. A fun fact about Tarkenton is he is the only UGA football player to host SNL.
4. David Greene
The ultimate winner, Greene left Georgia with the NCAA record for wins 42-10, and a winning percentage of 80.77 win percentage. Greene also put up great stats throwing for over 11,528 passing yards, throwing 72 touchdowns, and only throwing 32 interceptions. Greene is probably best known for the Hobnail Boot play, but he had a terrific sophomore campaign in 2002. Georgia won the Sugar Bowl and the SEC Championship. I’ll remember him for being a lefty, as a kid Greene and Pollack were the first UGA players I remember. Greene was a left-handed QB and I, a 5-year-old left-hander, believed one day I too could be the QB at Georgia. But instead, I’m a left-handed blogger writing about Georgia football. Win-Win in my book. I still have dreams!
3. Matthew Stafford
Shocking! “Why does he have Stafford at 3?” Well, I’ll tell you why. Stafford never won anything of significance and never played in an SEC Championship. That’s why. I love Stafford, don’t get me wrong, but he didn’t play in an SEC Championship. Was he the most talented Georgia QB ever? Yes. But he has had a better NFL career than Georgia’s career? Yes. Has he hosted SNL? N0! Stafford threw for over 7,731 passing yards, had 51 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions. Also, he led Georgia to 3 straight bowl victories Chick-Fil-A, Sugar, and Capital One. This was my era of Georgia football when I was growing up but, he is not my #1 QB. Sorry Matthew, I still have your blackout jersey in my closet though!
2. Stetson Bennett
I did it again! Yeah, all of you thought it was going to be Stetson #1. Well look Stetson is obviously on the Mount Rushmore of Georgia Football players, He is not the #1 QB. Stetson won back-to-back titles, so why is he #2? Well, he was not the main reason why Georgia won those titles. He helped, for sure, but Georgia in those two titles was not just one guy, it was the entire team. To be the #1 QB on this list, you have to be the reason Georgia won. The Mailman’s career stats: 8,428 yards passing, 66 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 530 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns. Stetson will always have a special place in my heart, I loved him when he was a practice squad hero playing as Baker Mayfield in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl. But, Stetson is second in my heart only to the next guy.
1. Aaron Murray
Stetson would probably agree with me on this since we grew up at the same time. Aaron Murray was THE GUY. Georgia won games because of Murray’s performance. From 2010-2013 there was not a better college QB than Murray. Murray still holds almost every Georgia and SEC passing record. Murray had a record of 36-18 as a starter. Throwing for 13,166 yards, and 121 touchdowns. If Georgia would have beaten Alabama in 2012, Murray would have had a national title. Every now and again, go back to youtube and watch Aaron Murray’s highlights. I can’t help my love affair with him. If there is a list of Georgia players he is going to be up there as the best in my book. Also, Aaron if you are reading this, stop selling yourself short. Stop putting yourself behind Stafford and Stetson. You don’t have to be humble. You’re the best QB in Georgia football history and gosh darn it people like you!