UGA Football QB Gunner Stockton Shares Thoughts On The Georgia Offense
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ATLANTA - UGA Football QB Gunner Stockton and the Georgia Bulldogs take center stage at 2025 SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall Of Fame in Atlanta.
Q. We talk about being a full-time starter, expected full-time starter from the day one. Your thoughts going into the season, how excited you are?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, we're really excited about the season, just we've had a great offseason, just getting to know everybody and coming together and really connecting.
Q. Gunner, what have you kind of worked on this offseason, whether it's working individually with
teammates or getting leadership tasks? What have you done to kind of earn this spot?
GUNNER STOCKTON: For me, just the way I handle myself, I feel like I've shown up since I've been to college and just the way I live my life. Showing up to work every day and trying to do the right thing. Not always being perfect, we're not going to be perfect. But just treating people the right way and biggest thing just showing up to work and doing the right thing.
Q. What have you seen from Noah Thomas this offseason as he's come in, just his strengths and how you guys have built rapport?
GUNNER STOCKTON: He's been great. He came in with a great attitude from Texas A&M and has done a great job. He's fun to be around. I'm really excited for the year with him.
Q. Seeing a lot of roster turnover from losing guys to the draft, transfer portal whatever it is, how are you helping guys buy into the culture you have at Georgia?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I think it's crazy nowadays with the portal and people leaving. I think that's what makes it special. This is like a new team, a bunch of new guys. Just having the standard at Georgia and setting it and trying to enforce it and it's been fun just being together and embracing it.
Q. How quickly were you able to build chemistry with the transfer wide receivers? Actually where do you feel like you're at in that process?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I think going through spring was a big deal and just having that time because it was about a month straight of work and practice, just getting a lot of banked reps. And having this offseason, throwing 7-on-7 and working out almost every day and spending a lot of time together has helped a lot.
Q. Earlier this summer, Kirby mentioned, I think it was down in Destiny, he told Paul Finebaum, he sent his criticisms of you to you. What was your reaction when Paul was critical of you this summer? And kind of how did you handle that, that your coach kind of egged it
on?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I'm not a big social media guy. But seeing your coach kind of defend you makes you feel good. I'm not really worried about what people say. Just ready for the season. Can't wait.
Q. As a guy who's been in the system for some time, the progression you've seen yourself year to year and how you feel you've improved going into the season, as far as your overall progression, how you perfected the different part of your game?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I think this offseason always working on something and trying to get better at it. I can always get better at the little things. For me it's a bunch of footwork stuff and trying to clean it up and having – creating good habits is the biggest thing for me.
Q. What was going through your mind when you were called upon in the middle of the SEC Championship game? And then how do you think an experience like that, being thrown into the fire in that game, in the playoff, can help prepare you for a full SEC season as a starter?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I think it was a great experience, just handling the emotions, the ebbs and flows, it was a great experience. I wouldn't change anything. But I'm excited for this new year with the SEC schedule. It's no joke. I'm glad there's a bunch of home games. Can't wait for the
first one against Marshall. I'm excited.
Q. Being able to be around some of the other quarterbacks in the league, how would you evaluate just right now how the quarterback play in the SEC is?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I think it will be really good. It's neat being at the Manning Passing Academy, getting to see a bunch of guys to throw and be around. It was neat seeing how they are outside of football too.
Q. One of those guys at the Manning Passing Academy Marcel Reed, what did you see from him, the
kind of player he is?
GUNNER STOCKTON: He's big and physical and he can
throw it really well. He was nice to be around and he was
a cool guy.
Q. Were you surprised at the no-nonsense manner of the Manning Passing Academy is very well
constructed just for football?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, it was football. I didn't know what to expect. It was my first time out there. I didn't know if we were just trying to throw the ball the farthest, saw Drew Milton do that a couple of years ago, but it was work being a counselor, putting guys through drills. It was a lot of fun, though.
Q. The tight end's a quarterback's best friend. Oscar may actually be that for you. Talk about your
relationship with him, and how that strong position group can be an asset to you guys this year.
GUNNER STOCKTON: Absolutely. Oscar, we actually roomed together since our freshman year. He's a great guy. Tight ends, they can make your life easy. I'm glad I can call him a good friend.
Q. Obviously we mobbed you at the Sugar Bowl. You had all that attention. But what's this offseason been like being Georgia's quarterback? Have you noticed anything different? Is there more attention? Obviously, I think NIL deals are probably coming out. You're doing an EA Sports post on your Instagram. What's been different about now being "the guy" at Georgia?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I think it's just a different role. When you look back, I get more attention in Athens getting pictures and stuff like that. But that comes with the role, and just being more vocal with the team and just enjoying it. I've enjoyed the process so far, and I can't wait for the season. I'm really excited.