In an era where college quarterbacks bounce from program to program like pinballs, Gunner Stockton is bucking the trend-and Georgia football is reaping the rewards.
Now four years into his career in Athens, Stockton is finally getting his moment, and he’s making it count. Named an All-SEC performer and finishing in the top 10 in Heisman voting, the veteran quarterback has emerged as a stabilizing force for a Georgia team that enters the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed, riding a bye week and a wave of momentum.
He didn’t win the Heisman, but he might just win something even better: a national title.
In the age of NIL deals and the ever-spinning transfer portal, players like Stockton are becoming rare. But for head coach Kirby Smart, Stockton is exactly the kind of quarterback you want leading your program-steady, loyal, and peaking at the right time.
While other top programs are scrambling to adjust to quarterback departures, Georgia is sitting comfortably with its guy. And make no mistake, Stockton is their guy.
The Bulldogs' confidence is evident, and so is the fanbase’s. One viral post captured the mood perfectly, showing just how secure Georgia feels watching other top-tier quarterback prospects like Dylan Raiola and DJ Lagway hit the portal, while Stockton and company gear up for a playoff run.
It’s not just Raiola and Lagway either. Sam Leavitt and Brendan Sorsby have also entered the portal, adding to the growing list of high-profile QBs on the move.
Meanwhile, Georgia knows it has Stockton for at least one more season. Sure, he could test the NFL waters, but right now, he’s not projected as a clear draft pick.
And honestly, that's just fine for Georgia. He’s not only a great fit for the college game-he’s thriving in it.
That kind of continuity is a luxury in today’s college football landscape. While other programs scramble to fill gaps and recalibrate their depth charts, Georgia can focus on preparing for the playoff, confident in the chemistry and leadership they’ve built around Stockton.
Georgia’s QB Strategy Is Built for the Long Haul
Over the last five years, college football has undergone a seismic shift. NIL has changed the game, giving players the opportunity to earn while they play.
The transfer portal, meanwhile, has turned roster management into a year-round puzzle. And through it all, the calendar has become a chaotic mess, with overlapping windows and little consistency.
But despite the turbulence, Georgia seems to have found a formula that works. Smart and his staff have made a habit of recruiting quarterbacks who want to be in Athens-not just for a year or two, but for the long haul. These are guys who are willing to wait their turn, develop within the system, and seize the moment when it finally arrives.
That strategy has paid off. Sure, Georgia still goes after the five-star prospects like Raiola and Jared Curtis. But more often than not, it’s players like Stockton-or Stetson Bennett IV before him-who end up leading the team when it matters most.
Even Carson Beck, who transferred to Miami this past offseason, spent three years waiting for his shot before becoming a highly successful starter. He followed a legend in Bennett and now passes the torch to Stockton, another homegrown talent who embodies the culture Smart has built.
Georgia’s approach isn’t flashy, but it’s effective. It’s about building a quarterback room that values development, competition, and patience. And when you have players who buy in, you don’t need to chase every name that pops up in the portal.
That’s not to say Georgia won’t dip into the portal at all-they might look for depth behind Stockton heading into 2026-but they’re not desperate. They’re not scrambling. They’re in control.
And in today’s college football world, that’s a rare and valuable thing.