Gunner Stockton Doubles Down on Georgia Commitment with New NIL Deal
In an era when the college football landscape is defined by portal movement, brand-building, and big-money NIL deals, Gunner Stockton just made a statement that cuts through all the noise - loyalty still matters.
The Georgia quarterback, who’s been relatively quiet since the Bulldogs wrapped up their season, re-emerged in the spotlight this week - not for transferring, not for testing the open market, but for recommitting to the G in a big way. Stockton has signed a new NIL deal with Georgia for the 2026 season, and while the terms weren’t made public, the message behind the move says plenty.
According to his representative, Faryn Healy of ESM, Stockton could’ve cashed in for two to three times more had he entered the transfer portal. That kind of payday would turn heads for just about any player in the country.
But Stockton? He didn’t even entertain the idea.
“Gunner did agree to a deal with UGA for the 2026 season,” Healy shared. “He did not feel an announcement was necessary as he is a player who would never consider transferring. He could have earned two to three times more by entering the portal, but Gunner bleeds red and black.”
That last line says it all.
This isn’t just a quarterback locking in another NIL deal - this is a player doubling down on his belief in Georgia, in the program, and in the people around him. In today’s college football climate, where roster turnover has become the norm and loyalty can feel like a relic of the past, Stockton’s decision stands out. Not because he stayed - but because of how firmly he chose to.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a financial decision. It was a cultural one.
Stockton’s commitment to Georgia runs deeper than dollar signs. He’s not chasing a bigger payday or a clearer path to playing time somewhere else.
He’s betting on himself, on his coaches, and on the program he believes in.
And that’s the kind of presence you want in your locker room. Whether he’s under center or supporting from the sideline, Stockton’s decision sends a message to teammates, fans, and recruits alike - Georgia isn’t just a stop on the way to something else. For some, it is the destination.
There’s still plenty of work ahead this offseason for Kirby Smart and his staff. Georgia’s quarterback room remains competitive, and the Bulldogs have their sights set on another run at the top. But having a player like Stockton locked in - not just contractually, but emotionally and culturally - is a win in itself.
In a sport that’s constantly evolving, Gunner Stockton just reminded us that some things never go out of style: loyalty, belief, and bleeding red and black.