“It’s never easy in this league,” Stockton admitted. “There’s no time to ease in. You’ve got to come out swinging.”
Stockton, who stepped in last season and helped steady the offense down the stretch, is locked in a competitive battle with rising redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi. Though no starter has been officially named by head coach Kirby Smart, Stockton’s experience and leadership have made him a central figure within the locker room.
And with opening matchups looming against SEC powerhouses like Alabama and Tennessee, Stockton knows the Bulldogs can’t afford a slow start.
“We’ve got to earn everything,” he said. “I respect every team in this conference, but we believe in what we’re building at Georgia. We’re ready to prove it.”
The Weight of Expectations
Georgia fans are used to winning. After dominating the college football landscape in recent years, the pressure to continue that legacy is immense. Stockton isn’t backing down from that challenge. Instead, he’s embracing the spotlight—and the critics.
When asked about national voices like Paul Finebaum questioning his ability to lead Georgia back to the top, Stockton responded with calm confidence.
“Criticism is part of the game. What fuels me is just doing right by my teammates. That’s where my focus is.”
His humility hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kirby Smart praised Stockton’s growth not just as a quarterback, but as a leader.
“He’s someone the locker room believes in,” Smart said. “He’s put in the work, and he commands respect.”
Georgia fans are used to winning. After dominating the college football landscape in recent years, the pressure to continue that legacy is immense. Stockton isn’t backing down from that challenge. Instead, he’s embracing the spotlight—and the critics.
When asked about national voices like Paul Finebaum questioning his ability to lead Georgia back to the top, Stockton responded with calm confidence.
“Criticism is part of the game. What fuels me is just doing right by my teammates. That’s where my focus is.”
His humility hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kirby Smart praised Stockton’s growth not just as a quarterback, but as a leader.
“He’s someone the locker room believes in,” Smart said. “He’s put in the work, and he commands respect.”
A Different Kind of Georgia Team?
Unlike past seasons when Georgia entered the year with a clear-cut starter at QB, this year’s team is still sorting out its offensive identity. Stockton has the advantage of experience, but Puglisi’s raw talent continues to turn heads at practice.
Stockton, however, isn’t rattled.
“Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “I’m competing every day, not just to win the job, but to be the best version of myself for this team.”
The Bulldogs' schedule doesn’t offer any breathing room. With the SEC more stacked than ever, Georgia’s margin for error is razor-thin. The quarterback who emerges victorious in fall camp will have to guide the team through some of the toughest defenses in the country.
The Bigger Picture
Stockton’s message from Media Days was clear: Georgia isn’t resting on past glory. The road ahead is rugged, and nothing is guaranteed. But the Bulldogs are hungry—and Gunner Stockton is right in the middle of it.
“We’re not hiding from expectations. We’re chasing greatness again.”
For Georgia fans, those are the words they’ve been waiting to hear.
Stockton’s message from Media Days was clear: Georgia isn’t resting on past glory. The road ahead is rugged, and nothing is guaranteed. But the Bulldogs are hungry—and Gunner Stockton is right in the middle of it.
“We’re not hiding from expectations. We’re chasing greatness again.”
For Georgia fans, those are the words they’ve been waiting to hear.
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