Will Love Power UGA Football? Kirby Smart and Dawgs Have a Lot for Gunner Stockton
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ATHENS - Georgia football fans showed life for the first time in Mercedes-Benz Stadium when Gunner Stockton trotted out onto the field to take over for the injured Carson Beck to start the third quarter of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship.
As Stockton led the Dawgs down the field on the opening drive of the second half, both the fans and the Georgia sideline erupted more and more with every single first down, and then eventually exploded with joy when running back Trevor Etienne barrelled into the endzone to cap it off. It did not take long to realize that there is a lot of love for the Rabun County native out of both the program and the fanbase. Kirby Smart fought back tears answering a question about Stockton in his sideline interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe after Georgia pulled off the overtime win over Texas.
“This kid’s a winner, man. This kid’s special,” Smart said.
He managed to get that out before he walked off with tears in his eyes.
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Fast forward to now, Georgia is more than halfway through spring practice, and Stockton is the presumed starting quarterback for the 2025 Georgia Bulldogs.
He took the podium after Smart did last Tuesday. He was laid back and maintained a smile for most of the press conference. Stockton gave short and simple answers to all of the reporters' questions.
One thing that was common about many of the responses Stockton gave was that he continued to spread love to teammates.
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How have transfer receivers Noah Thomas and Zachariah Branch been? “They are even better guys.”
How has spring practice been? “Spring has been pretty good. I’ve enjoyed just getting out there and getting to connect with everybody.”
How is the quarterback competition going against Ryan Puglisi? “I wouldn’t want it any other way. Ryan is a great guy and he is a great player.”
He really couldn't stop himself from smiling any time he answered a question, especially when he had the chance to praise his teammates.
Apparently it is infectious. Upcoming sophomore linebacker Chris Cole sat in the team meeting room while Stockton fielded questions for the first time since the Sugar Bowl. Cole was eventually asked about his quarterback.
“He’s just always happy,” Cole said. “I love being around him. He always has a smile on his face. I think he was the first guy I talked to when I got here. I didn’t know anyone. Gunner is a great guy. I love him.”
The love for Stockton was very evident in Atlanta when he helped bring another SEC Championship trophy to Athens. The team was happy for him, and they were energized by his presence.
“The players, they love Gunner. The juice that he brought and the passion and energy… it gave us an added boost of energy,” Smart said after the SEC Championship.
That love can be seen in little moments as well, not just when the team is celebrating a major win and an earned College Football Playoff bye.
Stockton threw for the Georgia pass catchers who are NFL Draft candidates at Pro Day a couple of weeks ago. Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett were warming up ahead of their positional drill in front of scouts and coaches across the league. The indoor practice facility is rather quiet - tense even - during this event.
When Stockton approached his former receivers to warm up with them, their entire vibe changed. Lovett screamed “What’s up Gunner?” as he smiled from ear to ear. Stockton returned a smile to him, they “dapped up,” and got to work.
According to Smart, Stockton is one of the hardest workers in the program. He spends a lot of hours in the film room, doesn’t complain and leads by example. Smart said that his experience is evident during spring practice.
“He understands what we're trying to do. He's been through it. I mean, I think about if we had all Gunners at every position. You know, they understand the volume of reps, what we're trying to do,” Smart said.
Stockton’s four years in the program is likely the biggest factor in his leg up on Puglisi in the battle to become the next starting quarterback. Smart values experience and loyalty. He has shown it with Beck, Jake Fromm and Stetson Bennett.
“He (Stockton) knows the offense inside and out, and then I get frustrated and impatient when other guys don't know it like him,” Smart said.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo recruited Stockton for a long time, dating back to when he held the same position at South Carolina. Stockton originally committed to the Gamecocks’ program before eventually flipping to Georgia, staying home and following Bobo.
All signs are pointing towards Stockton leading Georgia in 2025. Insiders are saying it, we are seeing it, and the players and coaches love him.
A lot of the fanbase seems to love him, too. Whether or not that continues will be determined by his play on the field.