Jake Crain stirred the pot this week with a bold take that’s got Georgia fans buzzing: he’d rather face off against Stetson Bennett than Gunner Stockton. That’s not just a hot take-it’s a conversation starter. And it opens the door to a deeper look at two very different quarterbacks who’ve both worn the “G” on their helmet but brought very different things to the table.
Crain’s argument? Bennett was surrounded by one of the most talent-rich rosters in recent college football memory, while Stockton is a more dynamic athlete-especially as a runner-who presents a bigger individual challenge for defenses. It’s a fair point, and it gets to the heart of what makes this comparison so tricky.
Let’s start with Bennett. The walk-on turned two-time national champion had one of the most improbable runs in college football history.
But here’s the thing-he wasn’t just along for the ride. Sure, Georgia’s 2021 and 2022 squads were loaded.
We’re talking about NFL-caliber talent at nearly every position. But Bennett had something you can’t coach: unshakable confidence.
And it didn’t always show up right away.
Think back to that 2021 national championship against Alabama. Bennett had just lost a fumble that led to a Crimson Tide touchdown and a 13-18 deficit.
The pressure was mounting. It looked like the moment might be too big.
And then-something shifted. That’s when Bennett stopped worrying and started balling.
From that point on, he played like a man on a mission, and the rest is history. That edge, that chip on his shoulder, became his superpower.
He didn’t care what you thought of him. He didn’t care about the scouting report.
He just wanted to win-and more often than not, he did.
Now, Stockton? He’s a different animal.
The physical tools jump off the screen. He’s got the arm, the legs, and the upside to be a real problem at the next level.
As a runner, he brings an added layer of stress for defenses that Bennett never really posed. And while he might not have the same kind of generational roster around him-thanks in part to the churn of the transfer portal-he’s shown flashes of being the kind of quarterback who can carry a team when it matters most.
Stockton’s not afraid of the moment either. He’s taken hits, made mistakes, and gotten back up swinging.
He’s still learning, still growing, but the toughness is there. He might not have the same “I-don’t-care-what-you-think” swagger that Bennett developed in his final seasons, but he’s got a quiet confidence that’s just as dangerous in its own right.
So is Crain right? From a pure talent standpoint, yeah-Stockton is the tougher matchup.
He can beat you in more ways, and he’s not dependent on a stacked supporting cast to make plays. But that doesn’t mean he’s the better quarterback-at least not yet.
Because here’s the truth: there’s something uniquely frustrating about playing a guy like Bennett. He wasn’t the biggest, fastest, or most physically gifted player on the field.
But he was relentless. He made the right play at the right time.
He believed-sometimes irrationally-in his ability to win, and that belief was contagious. You couldn’t rattle him.
And when the lights were brightest, he never blinked.
Stockton still has to prove he can do that. He’s got the tools.
He’s got the toughness. But he doesn’t have the hardware-at least not yet.
Bennett’s got two national titles. Stockton is still chasing his first.
If Georgia lifts the CFP trophy in 2026, then we can start having real conversations about legacy. Until then, it’s all potential versus production. And while potential is exciting, production wins games-and championships.
So yeah, Crain’s take might raise some eyebrows, but it’s not without merit. And it’s a reminder of just how unique both of these quarterbacks are, in their own right.