Gunner Stockton took over to lead Georgia to an SEC title, and started for the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl, but is it enough to earn him the position of QB1 next season?
As newly-crowned SEC champions, and in its first CFP appearance since the illustrious 2022 championship run, Georgia might have found its successor to outgoing quarterback Carson Beck.
Although Stockton is the presumed QB going forward, since Beck transferred to University of Miami, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has not decided who will be starting as QB1 in August, despite praising both Stockton and freshman QB Ryan Puglisi for their performances thus far.
“Both of those guys are doing a great job,” Smart said. “I’m really pleased with where both of them are at. Ryan’s taking some reps with the ones. Gunner continues to grow and get better.”
Though the two quarterbacks are competing for the position of QB1, Stockton said he “wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Ryan’s a great guy,” Stockton said. “He’s a good friend. That’s the thing about Georgia. I mean, there’s going to be good competition everywhere.”
Stockton is aware of the competition in the locker room, but as the season quickly approaches, he’s using the spring to focus on something else: getting reps.
“A bunch of reps help,” Stockton said. “Like coach Smart [said], you’ll get the most reps here at the University of Georgia. So, I think everybody, freshmen to fifth years, you’re getting a bunch of reps.”
The Rabun County-native has been busy since Georgia’s season ended at the hands of the Fighting Irish in January.
“I’ve been working on my footwork and watching some film,” Stockton said. “And that’s the thing about spring ball, we have a bunch of time to watch film and looking at all the little things, honing in on them.”
Stockton knows his play on the field needs to elevate for Georgia to contend for a championship, but he feels leadership and communication are essential, especially in becoming comfortable with his receivers.
“You just gotta communicate,” Stockton said. “It takes time, so in the offseason … you’re building chemistry and just knowing how certain routes work and how you want it and how each person runs it a little different, so that’s when you work on it.”
Stockton is surrounded by a loaded receiving corps to start the new season.
Transfers Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas are expected to make huge impacts in progressing the ball downfield, while returners Colbie Young, Dillon Bell, London Humphreys and Sacovie White are also expected to garner attention.
Stockton will have quite a few expectations placed on him, should he officially become Georgia’s QB1. He believes he is prepared for what is to come after seeing Beck navigate both the praise and criticism.
“I think there’s a lot of good things from Carson,” Stockton said. “He has really good footwork and stuff like that and the way he really processed information really well.”
Stockton knows the high-profile spotlight that his
position entails. From throwing touchdowns to dealing with the media, he is aware of what comes with the territory. He’s embracing it every day and is ready for the
challenge.
