Ryan Puglisi Embraces Georgia QB Battle: “The Competition Is Real—And I Can Win It”

At a program like Georgia, where elite talent stacks every position and expectations hover at national championship levels year in and year out, competition is more than a buzzword — it’s a way of life. No one understands that better right now than freshman quarterback Ryan Puglisi. And unlike most newcomers who ease into their roles quietly, Puglisi is making it clear: he didn’t come to Athens to sit. He came to compete — and win.

“The competition is real,” Puglisi said in a recent interview. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way. I came here knowing what Georgia is, what it takes, and what I’d be up against. I believe I can win it. That’s why I’m here.”

That level of confidence isn’t arrogance. It’s the mindset of a young quarterback who has long been considered one of the most mentally tough and physically gifted signal-callers in his class. A four-star recruit from Connecticut, Puglisi committed to Georgia early despite heavy pursuit from other Power Five programs. And he stuck with the Bulldogs even after Georgia landed five-star phenom Dylan Raiola late in the recruiting cycle.

Many assumed Raiola’s arrival would shift Puglisi’s plans — that perhaps he’d look elsewhere to avoid a direct head-to-head battle with one of the highest-rated quarterback prospects in recent memory. But that’s not how Puglisi operates.

“I wasn’t scared of competition then, and I’m not scared now,” he said. “If anything, it fired me up. You want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. And I know I belong here.”

Puglisi’s boldness isn’t just talk. Those inside the Georgia program say he’s been impressive from Day 1 — not only in terms of his arm strength and athleticism, but in how quickly he’s picked up the offense, how he communicates in the huddle, and how he’s handled the pressure of being a freshman at a program that’s coming off multiple national titles.

Head coach Kirby Smart, no stranger to QB competitions, has praised both Puglisi and Raiola for their maturity and focus, but he’s been particularly vocal about the depth and quality in the quarterback room this year.

“We’ve got talented guys in that room, no question,” Smart said. “Ryan’s a competitor. He works his tail off, and he’s not backing down. That’s what we want — guys who push each other and raise the level of the team.”

Georgia’s quarterback situation heading into the 2025 season is one of the most intriguing in college football. With Carson Beck headed to the NFL, the starting job is officially up for grabs, and both Raiola and Puglisi have their eyes on it. The Bulldogs also have depth with experienced backup Gunner Stockton still in the mix, but most eyes are on the two freshman stars.

Puglisi offers a different look than Raiola. While Raiola has drawn comparisons to NFL-style passers with his compact mechanics and big-play arm talent, Puglisi brings more of a gunslinger mentality. He’s mobile, confident throwing on the run, and has a fearless approach when attacking downfield. At 6-foot-3 and nearly 215 pounds, he’s physically ready for SEC play — and mentally, he’s got the grit that Georgia fans love.

“There’s something about him,” said one team source. “He’s got that chip on his shoulder. He’s ultra-competitive. He takes every rep seriously. You can tell he’s here to prove something.”

And that chip didn’t come out of nowhere. Puglisi has long been underestimated due to his geography — a Northeast quarterback entering the deep waters of SEC country. But he’s used that doubt as fuel.

“I heard it all — that I was from a smaller football state, that I hadn’t faced SEC-level defenses, that Georgia was too big of a leap,” Puglisi said. “None of that fazed me. I knew my work ethic and I knew my ability. Now I get to show it on this stage.”

The spring has offered him that opportunity, and by all accounts, Puglisi is making the most of every moment. Coaches have lauded his preparation, and teammates have been impressed by his command.

“It doesn’t feel like he’s a freshman,” one offensive lineman said. “He walks in the huddle like he’s been doing it for years. He takes charge, and you want to play for a guy like that.”

For Puglisi, the key now is consistency. With Georgia’s complex offensive system and the speed of SEC defenses, there’s little margin for error. But he’s approaching the process with the same mindset that got him to Athens in the first place — learn fast, compete hard, and never back down.

“I’m learning every day,” he said. “From the coaches, from the guys in the room, from every snap. But I’m not just here to learn — I’m here to earn. I want to lead this team. That’s been the goal since day one.”

The quarterback competition is expected to extend deep into the offseason, with Smart likely holding off on naming a starter until late in camp. That means every practice rep, every scrimmage, and every film session matters. And for Puglisi, that’s exactly the environment he thrives in.

“Pressure brings out the best in me,” he said. “I’ve always been that guy who wants the ball when it matters. This is no different. I want the job, and I’m going to give everything I have to win it.”

Georgia fans, for their part, are watching closely. While much of the early hype has surrounded Raiola — and understandably so, given his recruiting pedigree — Puglisi has quickly earned a loyal following of his own. Fans have taken note of his confidence, his leadership style, and his relentless drive.

On message boards and social media, the debate is heating up. Who should start? Who’s ready? Can Georgia really go from a veteran like Beck straight to a true freshman and still compete for a national title?

For Puglisi, the answer is clear.

“Why not?” he said. “If you’re prepared, if you’ve got the trust of your coaches and teammates, and if you play to the standard Georgia sets, then age doesn’t matter. Talent and toughness win games. I know I have both.”

That kind of self-belief is exactly what Kirby Smart looks for in his quarterbacks. And in a year where the Bulldogs will again have national title aspirations, whoever wins the job won’t just be handed the keys — they’ll have to seize them.

Ryan Puglisi believes he can.

And based on what we’ve seen and heard so far, it would be unwise to bet against him.