Kirby Smart named Carson Beck the starting quarterback for Georgia, giving Brock Vandagriff the sign it's time to look at his transfer options.
Brock Vandagriff has previously said he doesn't intend to transfer from Georgia this year, regardless of who is named the starting quarterback.
Well, Carson Beck has officially won the job, which means Vandagriff may need to reevaluate his past stance.
If Vandagriff does decide to transfer, whether it's now or later, here are some strong options for him to look at for 2024…
Brock Vandagriff transfer destination: USC Trojans
At this point, Brock Vandagriff should stay with Georgia through the end of the 2023 season. You never know what'll happen with Beck and opportunities to play may arise. But let's assume Beck stays healthy and holds on to the starting job all year. Then Vandagriff will be looking for opportunities to start.
Where better than a Lincoln Riley offense at USC?
Vandagriff was committed to Riley at Oklahoma before turning his sights on Georgia. He was apparently smitten with the Riley system but worried about the head coach leaving for the NFL. UGA was the safer, closer-to-home option.
Well now Riley is in Los Angeles and he'll need to find a replacement for Caleb Williams after the 2023 season. There's a window for Vandagriff to slide right into his ideal starting place.
The biggest barrier to this plan may be USC's willingness to take Vandagriff. Riley has five-star freshman Malachi Nelson already preparing as the heir apparent to Williams. Adding Vandagriff would rock the boat, but he'd give the Trojans a more dynamic veteran option beyond 2023 backup Miller Moss.
Brock Vandagriff transfer destination: Michigan Wolverines
USC isn't the only major program likely needing to replace a star quarterback in 2024. There's good reason to believe JJ McCarthy will be looking at the NFL by the end of the 2023 season. And Michigan doesn't have the Trojans' strong succession plan.
Jack Tuttle is the backup for McCarthy and he's a grad transfer on his final season of eligibility. Other quarterbacks on the roster include Davis Warren, Alex Orji, Jayden Denegal and Kendrick Bell. None of those were better than a three-star recruit coming out of high school.
Four-star prospect Jadyn Davis is committed for the class of 2024 but the last thing Jim Harbaugh will want to bank on is a true freshman immediately earning a starting role. Instead, the Wolverines should go big game hunting.
Vandagriff could pull the bizarro-world Justin Fields — transferring from Georgia to Ohio State rival Michigan. In doing so, he'd have the chance to start while competing for national titles.
It's a win-win for both sides.
Brock Vandagriff transfer destination: Notre Dame
In the last few years, Notre Dame has been at their best when they've found a veteran transfer quarterback to take the reins. This year, Sam Hartman, formerly of Wake Forest, is going to be that guy.
Next year, could it be Vandagriff?
Like Michigan, the Fighting Irish don't have a clear path forward beyond Hartman. Four-star freshman Kenny Minchey could be the guy if he settles into the college game quickly enough. But he's no run-away heir apparent.
And like Michigan, Notre Dame has a 2024 commit closer to the elite tier in CJ Carr, who is the No. 4 quarterback in the class. It just feels way too early to bank on Carr being ready to lead a blue-blood program as a true freshman.
So Vandagriff would be quite the prize for Marcus Freeman to land. He could keep the QB transfer party going in South Bend, looking to follow on from whatever Hartman establishes in 2023.
