Gunner Stockton is not Carson Beck. He’s not Stetson Bennett, either. But as of January 2026, he is the undisputed leader of the Georgia Bulldogs.
For a long time, people wondered if the "kid from Tiger, Georgia" would ever actually take the snap when it mattered. He waited. He watched Beck lead the offense. He watched the transfer portal swallow and spit out names like Dylan Raiola. Honestly, most fans figured he might eventually leave for a starting job elsewhere.
He didn't.
Instead, he stayed, he worked, and he basically saved Georgia's 2025 season when things went south in Atlanta. Now, the 2026 season belongs to him. There is no quarterback competition this spring. Kirby Smart has his guy, and the vibe in Athens has shifted from the "pocket technician" era of Beck to something a lot more gritty and mobile.
The Night Everything Changed in Atlanta
To understand why Stockton is the Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback today, you have to look back at the 2025 SEC Championship. Carson Beck went down with a brutal UCL injury against Texas. It was the kind of moment that makes a stadium go silent.
Stockton stepped in.
He didn't light up the stat sheet with 400 yards. He went 12-of-16 for 71 yards. That sounds modest, right? But he played with a "winner" mentality that Kirby Smart raved about after the 22-19 overtime victory. He took hits, he moved the chains with his legs, and he didn't blink. Even when he had to leave the game briefly after a massive hit to the head, he was the reason Georgia stayed steady.
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"This kid’s special," Smart said in the postgame chaos. "He’s a winner."
That win cemented his status. It wasn't just about being the "next man up" anymore. It was about proving that the offense could survive, and even thrive, with a dual-threat playmaker under center.
2025 by the Numbers: The Gunner Stockton Stat Sheet
If you’re looking at the raw data from last season, you see a player who evolved from a backup to a high-level SEC starter. Stockton finished the 2025 campaign with some serious momentum.
- Passing Yards: 2,894
- Touchdowns: 24 passing, 10 rushing
- Completion Percentage: 69.7%
- Interceptions: Only 5
Think about that rushing stat. Ten touchdowns on the ground. That is a massive departure from the statue-like pocket presence Georgia fans grew used to with Beck. Stockton is 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds of pure muscle. He doesn't just slide; he lowers his shoulder. He’s the type of guy who turns a broken 3rd-and-8 into a 9-yard gain because he simply refuses to go down.
Last season, his best performance arguably came against Tennessee, where he threw for a career-high 304 yards. He also picked apart Ole Miss and Texas for four touchdowns each. By the time the Bulldogs rolled into the 2026 Sugar Bowl against the Rebels, everyone knew #14 was the engine.
The Depth Chart: Who is Chasing the Starter?
While Stockton has the "QB1" tag locked down, the room behind him is surprisingly young. The days of having a veteran backup like Brock Vandagriff are over.
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Ryan Puglisi is the clear #2. The redshirt freshman from Massachusetts has a cannon for an arm. He saw action in seven games last year, mostly in mop-up duty, completing 16 of 27 passes. He’s bigger than Stockton at 6-foot-3, and Kirby Smart has praised his "pro-style" ceiling. If Stockton’s aggressive running style leads to a ding-up, Puglisi is the guy the Dawgs are betting on.
Then you have Ryan Montgomery, the talented true freshman who enrolled early. He’s already getting reps, but he’s likely a year or two away from pushing for the top spot.
What's really wild is the recruiting trail. Georgia lost a massive commitment when five-star Jared Curtis flipped to Vanderbilt of all places in late 2025. Smart basically brushed it off, saying they have "plans in place," but it highlights a shift. Georgia isn't just chasing the biggest name anymore; they are looking for the right fit for Mike Bobo's evolving offense.
Why Stockton Fits the 2026 Roster Better Than You Think
A lot of experts think Georgia might take a step back without a projected first-round NFL pick at QB. I disagree.
The 2026 roster is built to help a guy like Stockton. The backfield is absolutely loaded. Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens are returning, giving Georgia a 1-2 punch that most NFL teams would envy. When you have a running game that demands eight men in the box, Stockton’s ability to pull the ball on a RPO (Run-Option) becomes a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
- The Run Game: Frazier is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball.
- The Tight Ends: Lawson Luckie is back. Jaden Reddell and Ethan Barbour are monsters.
- The Offensive Line: Despite losing Monroe Freeling to the NFL, the interior is anchored by Drew Bobo and Juan Gaston.
Basically, Stockton doesn't have to be a superhero. He just has to be Gunner.
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The biggest misconception about him is that he’s "just a runner." That’s lazy analysis. He broke nearly every passing record in the state of Georgia during his high school days at Rabun County. He has the touch. He has the vision. What he didn't have until now was the keys to the car.
What to Watch for This Spring
If you're heading to G-Day or following the beat reports, don't look for a quarterback battle. Look for chemistry.
Stockton needs to refine his deep ball with receivers like Dillon Bell and London Humphreys. Last year, his average yards per attempt was 7.5. That’s solid, but to win a National Championship, that number probably needs to tick up toward 8.5 or 9.0. He needs to show he can keep defenses honest so they don't just sit on the short crossing routes.
Also, keep an eye on his health. Stockton plays with a reckless abandon that coaches love and trainers hate. He’s going to have to learn when to live to fight another play.
Actionable Insights for Dawg Fans
If you're following the Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback situation this year, here is what you actually need to know to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Portal: While Smart says he's happy with the room, Georgia always keeps an eye out for a veteran "insurance" QB. If they don't add one by the post-spring window, it means they are 100% sold on Puglisi as the backup.
- Focus on the RPO: Watch how often Mike Bobo calls designed QB runs in the spring game. This will tell you how much they plan to weaponize Stockton’s legs in 2026.
- Check the Chemistry: Look at the connection between Stockton and the younger receivers like Sacovie White-Helton. Those are the guys who will be his primary targets for the next 12 months.
Gunner Stockton waited four years for this. Most kids his age would have transferred three times by now. He stayed in Athens, took his lumps, and won an SEC title in relief. Now, he gets to do it as the man in charge. It’s going to be a fun ride.