Georgia’s SEC supremacy under Kirby Smart has not been defined by the quarterback position. Yet, at nearly every turn, Smart continues to prove that he has a great feel for the position and what it takes to succeed in Athens.
From winning back-to-back national titles with Stetson Bennett to moving on from Carson Beck at the right time, Georgia has set itself up for success behind center, and now the succession plan is as clear as ever. Junior Gunner Stockton, who is playing at a near Heisman Trophy level this season, will almost certainly return for his senior season, with true freshman five-star Jared Curtis arriving to back him up before taking the reins.
That plan, though, has caught a snag, as Vanderbilt, of all programs, is making a huge push for Curtis, the No. 1 QB and top overall recruit in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite. The Nashville native has yet to flip, but it never hurts to have a backup plan in place. There just aren’t that many options this late in the cycle if Curtis, like Dylan Raiola two years ago, has a last-minute change of heart.
If Georgia loses Curtis, it could turn to the transfer portal to supplement the QB room for 2026, but if Smart prefers the high school route, these are his top options who could potentially still be up for grabs.
3. Peyton Falzone, 4-star Nazareth, PA (Auburn commit)
Peyton Falzone has had a long recruiting journey, and for the No. 20 QB in the 2026 class, it might not be over. Originally a Penn State commit, Falzone de-committed from the Nittany Lions in the summer, flipping his allegiance to Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers.
Now, with Freeze out and Auburn searching for its next head coach, Falzone could be willing to jump to a more stable situation if that option is out there. He’s still committed to Auburn, but Syracuse and former Kirby Smart assistant Fran Brown are making a push to flip him.
2. Troy Huhn, 4-star, San Marcos, CA
Troy Huhn is the top-ranked uncommitted quarterback in the 2026 class, at No. 21 according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. However, most recruiting insiders have a good idea of where he might be heading next year.
Huhn de-committed from Penn State after James Franklin’s firing, and now with Franklin in place at Virginia Tech, it feels like a matter of time until the 6-foot-4 pocket passer follows him to Blacksburg. Unless, of course, Kirby Smart comes calling, offering Jared Curtis’s spot on the roster, then things could get interesting.
1. Will Griffin, 4-star, Tampa, FL (Florida commit)
Will Griffin has been a longtime Florida commit, and from all indications, his ties to The Swamp run much deeper than just Billy Napier. Still, anytime there is a coaching change, there is the possibility of instability for the quarterback room, and that’s compounded by the fact that DJ Lagway’s name has been speculated about as a transfer portal possibility this offseason.
Griffin, the No. 13 QB in the class, holds a Georgia offer and has visited Athens before, taking an unofficial trip in September 2023. It would be a long shot to flip him this late in the process, but until Florida finalizes its head coaching situation, every player in the class Napier constructed is potentially up for grabs, even one of the most prolific passers in Florida high school football history.