The Georgia Bulldogs are preparing to play in the Sugar Bowl on January 1 as the College Football Playoff officially begins December 19 and concludes January 19. With postseason attention intensifying across the sport, conversations have shifted toward which players are best equipped to perform under playoff pressure.
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray added his perspective by releasing his Top 5 quarterbacks entering the College Football Playoff. Murray’s list offers insight from a former signal-caller who understands the demands of championship-level football and the importance of decision-making, poise, and execution when the margin for error is at its smallest possible.
In a separate post, Murray picked UGA to win the national championship.
He praised his Dawgs, stating: “Georgia is playing better than anyone in the country right now.”
Here’s Aaron Murray’s top-5 quarterbacks in the CFP:
No. 5 — Dante Moore, Oregon
Murray cited Moore’s raw skill set and the upside of Oregon’s offense as the primary reasons for his inclusion.
“Love his skill set, and if they get healthy around him, watch out. This offense for Oregon is absolutely electric. I love their tight end Sadiq as well.”
Moore’s placement reflects ceiling more than résumé, but Oregon’s offensive explosiveness keeps him firmly in the discussion.
No. 4 — Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Sayin’s ranking raised eyebrows, but Murray was comfortable slotting the Buckeye quarterback just outside the top three.
“No. 4 for a guy that was just in the Heisman Trophy Ceremony? Yeah, he’s gonna be my No. 4 guy.”
Ohio State’s offensive efficiency and Sayin’s consistency have kept the Buckeyes in championship contention.
No. 3. Carson Beck, Miami
Beck’s November surge played a major role in his placement.
“One of the best quarterbacks in the month of November. Absolutely on fire right now, and y’all know I love the U heading into the playoffs. I think they’re one of the most talented teams left in the field.”
Beck’s late-season production backs that assessment.
No. 2. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Stockton’s ranking reflects trust more than raw volume, particularly in pressure moments.
“Hey, listen, there’s gonna be a lot of four-quarter games in the playoffs to make it to the championship. I trust Gunner more than any other quarterback when it comes to playing in the fourth quarter.”
That confidence is supported by Stockton’s fourth-quarter efficiency.
No. 1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Murray’s top spot was straightforward.
“You gotta go with the guy that just won the Heisman Trophy, Fernando Mendoza and the undefeated Indian Hoosiers.”
Mendoza’s combination of production, poise, and team success made him Murray’s clear choice entering the playoff.
This ranking highlights an important theme heading into the College Football Playoff: late-season efficiency, fourth-quarter execution, and decision-making matter as much as raw talent. With Georgia preparing for the Sugar Bowl, Gunner Stockton’s placement near the top underscores the confidence surrounding the Bulldogs as they chase another national title.
Comparing each quarterback in November
| Quarterback | Completions | Attempts | Comp% | Yards | Yards Per Attempt | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Beck | 115 | 150 | 76.7% | 1,399 | 9.3 | 13 | 3 |
| Julian Sayin | 102 | 132 | 77.3% | 1,193 | 9.0 | 11 | 2 |
| Gunner Stockton | 90 | 129 | 69.8% | 982 | 7.6 | 10 | 4 |
| Donte Moore | 82 | 110 | 74.5% | 961 | 8.7 | 5 | 2 |
| Fernando Mendoza | 63 | 90 | 70.0% | 835 | 9.3 | 8 | 2 |
Comparing each quarterback in the fourth quarter
| Quarterback | Completions | Attempts | Comp% | Yards | Yards Per Attempt | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza | 38 | 57 | 66.7% | 543 | 9.5 | 5 | 3 |
| Gunner Stockton | 49 | 56 | 87.5% | 503 | 9.0 | 6 | 0 |
| Carson Beck | 52 | 68 | 76.5% | 501 | 7.4 | 4 | 3 |
| Julian Sayin | 27 | 37 | 73.0% | 341 | 9.2 | 7 | 1 |
| Dante Moore | 25 | 41 | 61.0% | 331 | 8.1 | 2 | 3 |
Stockton’s efficiency and turnover avoidance stand out, especially in late-game situations where playoff games are often decided.
