ATLANTA (AP) — Kirby Smart hasn’t officially named Gunner Stockton starting quarterback for the upcoming season at Georgia, but it doesn’t matter. Since stepping foot on campus, Stockton has prepared like the job is going to be his.
Smart said Stockton’s commitment to preparation is one of the things he admires most.
“He prepared every game as if he was the starter,” Smart said Tuesday at SEC media days. “People can say that and say that’s coach-speak, but he actually did it. He went in, watched extra tape, and he knew that in any point in time, he could be called up to go into the game and play.”
Stockton finished the 2024 season with 45 completions for 440 yards, a touchdown and an interception in five games: He stepped in for an injured Carson Beck and led the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime victory over Texas in the SEC Championship and started in to Notre Dame. He was was 20 of 32 for 234 yards and a TD in the playoff semifinal.
It was enough to give Smart confidence that Beck’s successor was already in the quarterback room.
“He didn’t play in a normal environment where you’ve got a big lead, maybe you’re beating an opponent,” Smart said. “He went in against a top defense in the country in one of the biggest games of the season and performed well for a guy that had not gotten a lot of reps with the (starters). So I thought he handled that moment well and he taught a lot of our young players that you’ve got to be prepared and ready.”
Stockton earned the short trip to Atlanta for this week’s event and was peppered with more questions than teammates CJ Allen and Daylen Everette.
“(Bringing Stockton) was a message about leadership,” said Smart. “He’s separated himself as a great leader of the team and you try to bring people here that can affect others. He’s done that in spring practice.”
The starting job isn’t necessarily a layup for Stockton. Ryan Puglisi is eyeing the role too.
“Ryan is doing awesome too. Ryan and (Stockton) are going to be competing for everything they do. Gunner knows he’s got to go out and play well,” Smart said.
If Stockton stays the course, the offense will be his to lead on Aug. 30, when Georgia hosts Marshall in the season opener. Either way, he’s already picked up on the differences that come with starting.
“It’s just a different role,” Stockton said. “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.”
Georgia football enters a new era in more ways than one. The influx of fifth- and sixth-year players is over as the extra eligibility granted because of the pandemic fades away. Smart said first- and second-year players make up 54% of the team, a big change from the 2024 roster he referred to as one of the most veteran teams he’d coached.
“What do you get with that? You get youthful exuberance,” Smart said. “We’ve had practices that have been spirited.”
In the spring, Smart spoke with the team about passion and energy, traits he seeks in prospective and current players as the money starts flowing to college athletes under the terms of
“No coach is going to stand up here and say they don’t want players to get paid. We want them to get paid,” he said. “I’m completely comfortable with that. What I want is them to get paid and that not change how they go about their business, that not change if they’re sensitive to being demanded excellence of.”
After nine seasons and two national championships, one thing Smart said he won’t do is change his coaching style and philosophy.
“People don’t want to confront and demand anymore for fear of losing a player,” he said. “I would rather go get the right player that buys into that and then I’ve got something special when they do develop.”
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