From Richt’s reign to Smart’s dynasty, the past two decades have seen a parade of talented signal-callers under center for the Georgia Bulldogs.
This list chronicles the journeys of these gunslingers, from five-star phenoms like Stafford to gritty underdogs like Greene and Bennett.
Dive into the stats, the stories, and the legacy of every quarterback who’s worn the Georgia jersey since 2000. Let’s revisit the quarterbacks who defined an era and discover the next stars waiting to take the reins.
David Greene (2001-04)
- Stats: 11,528 passing yards, 72 TDs
- Awards: First-team All-SEC (2002), SEC Rookie of the Year (2001), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2002), SEC Championship Game MVP (2002)
- Drafted: 3rd round, pick 85 by Seattle Seahawks in 2005
Greene cemented his legacy in Bulldog history, captaining the team to an SEC title (2002) and rewriting record books. He orchestrated the Dawgs’ offensive resurgence under Coach Richt, leaving an indelible mark on the program’s history.
When he finished his college career, the 42-win was an NCAA Division I record for most wins by a quarterback.
D. J. Shockley (2004-05)
- Stats: 3,555 passing yards, 34 TDs
- Awards: First-team All-SEC (2005), 2005 Draddy Trophy semi-finalist, 2008 FCA Bobby Bowden Football Player of the Year, 2005 SEC Championship MVP
- Drafted: 7th round, pick 223 by Atlanta Falcons in 2006
Shockley’s arm and mobility ignited Georgia’s offense in 2005, culminating in an SEC title (2005) despite starting just one season.
Despite not playing in a regular season NFL game, he served as a backup quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons for four and a half years. Since 2017, he has transitioned into sports broadcasting, becoming a color commentator and studio analyst for college football on ESPN and a sports anchor for WAGA-TV.
Joe Tereshinski (2004-06)
- Stats: 794 passing yards, 4 TDs
Joe Tereshinski III, a former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback, played college football from 2004 to 2006. A third-generation Georgia player, he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom played for the Bulldogs.
After graduating, Tereshinski became a coach, starting as a graduate assistant at Wake Forest Demon Deacons before moving on to other coaching positions.
He was the tight end coach for the Deacons from 2010 to 2011 and also served as the wide receiver and recruiting coach at the Charlotte 49ers from 2012 to 2017.
Matthew Stafford (2006-08)
- Stats: 7,731 passing yards, 51 TDs
- Awards: First-team All-SEC (2008), 2006 Chick-fil-A-Bowl Offensive MVP, 2009 Capital One Bowl MVP
- Drafted: No. 1 pick in 2009 by Detroit Lions in 2009
Matthew Stafford arrived at Georgia as a five-star recruit from Highland Park High School with a cannon arm and led the Dawgs to three straight bowl games, culminating in a Sugar Bowl victory.
Though his college career lacked national titles, Stafford’s 2009 NFL Draft #1 pick and eventual Super Bowl LVI win with the Los Angeles Rams solidified his place as a Bulldog legend.
Joe Cox (2006, 2009)
- Stats: 3,016 passing yards, 29 TDs
Joe Cox took the reins after Matthew Stafford departed, leading Georgia to an 8-5 record in 2009. His arm wasn’t Stafford’s cannon, but his accuracy and game-management skills kept Georgia competitive.
After graduating, he became a coach, working at various high schools and universities, including Mallard Creek High School, Colorado State Rams, South Carolina Gamecocks, and Charlotte 49ers. He is currently the tight ends coach for the University of Alabama.
Aaron Murray (2010-13)
- Stats: 13,166 passing yards, 121 touchdowns (SEC record)
- Awards: 2x First-Team All-SEC, SEC Passing TD Leader, SEC Career Passing Yards Leader, 2013 Capital One Bowl MVP
- Drafted: 5th round, pick 163 by Kansas City Chiefs in 2014
Murray cemented his place in Georgia lore with a career laden with SEC accolades. He holds the conference’s all-time passing touchdown record, tossing 121 across four seasons.
Nick Foles, Matt Stafford, and even the Manning brothers all fall behind Murray’s prolific arm. Though his NFL career never quite matched his college heights, Murray’s leadership and accuracy remain etched in Georgia’s quarterback history.
Hutson Mason (2013-14)
- Stats: 3,492 passing yards, 29 touchdowns
The Marietta native slung passes under Richt and Bobo, seizing the starting role in 2014. His strong arm and leadership led Georgia to a 10-3 record and a thrilling Belk Bowl win over Louisville Cardinals. He threw 2,167 yards for 21 TDs with only four interceptions.
Though undrafted, he briefly pursued NFL dreams before excelling in broadcasting and sports radio. Today, Mason analyzes the game on ESPN and WCNN, while also contributing insightful political commentary to The Federalist.
Greyson Lambert (2015-16)
- Stats: 3,987 passing yards, 23 touchdowns
- Record: 96% pass completions against South Carolina Gamecocks in 2015, an NCAA record
Greyson Lambert arrived in Georgia after leading Virginia’s offense. He brought experience and a strong arm.
Arriving from Virginia as a seasoned starter, he initially thrived, leading Georgia to a 10-3 record and a TaxSlayer Bowl win over Penn State Nittany Lions in 2015.
However, the rising QB could not deliver consistency the following year and a newly recruited QB outperformed him.
Jacob Eason (2016-17)
- Stats: 5,590 passing yards, 39 touchdowns
- Drafted: 4th round, pick 122 by Indianapolis Colts in 2018
Jacob Eason arrived in Athens as a ballyhooed five-star recruit, touted as the savior of Georgia’s struggling passing game. He showed flashes of brilliance, unleashing a cannon arm and racking up yardage.
However, inconsistencies and injuries hampered his progress. After two seasons, Eason transferred to Washington, leaving behind a bittersweet legacy of unrealized potential.
Eason’s legacy remains a “what-if” in Georgia lore. His raw talent was undeniable, but his struggles with accuracy and decision-making left fans yearning for more. Despite his brief stint, Eason’s powerful throws and competitive spirit left a mark on UGA’s quarterback lineage.
Jake Fromm (2017-19)
- Stats: 7,236 passing yards, 78 touchdowns
- Awards: 2017 SEC Freshman of the Year,
- Drafted: Round 5, pick 167 by Buffalo Bills in 2020
Emerging from under Jacob Eason’s shadow, Jake Fromm led the Bulldogs to a fairytale run in 2017. His efficient throws and calm demeanor orchestrated the SEC Championship victory, etching his name in Georgia lore.
Though the 2018 title game ended in heartbreak, Fromm’s clutch play and leadership kept the Bulldogs competitive throughout his tenure.
Fromm’s arm orchestrated Georgia’s potent offense, boasting a career 63.2% completion rate and leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Sugar Bowl victories (2018 and 2019).
Stetson Bennett (2020-2022)
- Stats: 8,429 passing yards, 66 touchdowns
- Awards: CFP National Championship Offensive MVP (2021, 2022), 2022 Manning Award, 2022 Burlsworth Trophy
- Drafted: Round 4, pick 128 by Los Angeles Rams in 2023
Stetson Bennett IV started his college career at Georgia as a walk-on, overcoming initial skepticism to become Georgia’s most decorated QB of the 2000s.
Overlooked by recruiters, Bennett clawed his way onto the field, eventually leading the Bulldogs to 2021 and 2022 national championships. His efficient arm, poised leadership, and infectious swagger ignited a Bulldog renaissance.
Though not a five-star recruit, Bennett’s 29-3 record, including a 15-0 record in 2022, as a starter ranks among the best in program history.
JT Daniels (2020-21)
- Stats: 9,120 passing yards, 62 touchdowns
Heralded as a top recruit, JT Daniels arrived at Georgia after two tumultuous seasons at USC. He immediately ignited hope, showcasing his accuracy and poise. Despite flashes of brilliance, injuries hampered his starting campaign in 2021.
He shared snaps with Stetson Bennett, ultimately backing him up to a National Championship title in 2022. Restless, Daniels transferred again, seeking greener pastures at West Virginia Mountaineers and Rice Owls before announcing his retirement in 2023, due to multiple concussions.
Carson Beck (2023)
- Stats: 4,427 passing yards, 30 touchdowns
Carson Beck, the reigning starter under Kirby Smart, embodies “Patience pays off.” A highly-touted recruit, Beck spent three seasons learning behind Stetson Bennett, soaking in championship experience.
In 2023, he finally seized the reins, leading Georgia to a dominant Orange Bowl victory and showcasing his elite arm and poise. The 63-3 win against Florida State Seminoles became the largest victory margin in any bowl game.