Kirby Smart’s tone on Gunner Stockton has shifted in a hurry.
After publicly calling out the Georgia quarterback last week during a stretch when the offense was having trouble pushing the ball through the air, Smart sounded much more encouraged Wednesday. The Georgia coach said Stockton is showing growth in several areas, and that progress has started to show up in practice.
More on Gunner, Kirby said: "You can see his growth, kind of in a lot of areas because some of it's leadership, some of it's mentorship, and some of it's just throwing ability and getting the ball downfield. So pleased with. with Gunner's growth and really pleased with his work…
That’s a noticeable change from last week’s message, when Smart wanted Stockton to stop forcing throws into tight windows. Georgia’s offense had been lagging behind the defense during camp, and Stockton was at the center of that conversation.
Since then, Stockton appears to have answered. Smart is now praising the quarterback’s work, even if the offense still has plenty to clean up. The receivers and tight ends have reportedly been dropping passes from Stockton often, but Smart believes the quarterback is doing his part to straighten things out.
A major focus for Stockton has been the deep ball. He has to be willing to challenge defenses downfield, but he also has to make those throws with more precision. Whether that improvement carries over once the season starts is something only game action will reveal, but Smart clearly sees a quarterback trending in the right direction.
The coach also pointed to Stockton’s growth as a leader. That matters, especially with this being Stockton’s final season at Georgia. He may not be in Athens next year, but the way he handles himself now can still shape what comes after him.
Smart said Stockton has improved as a leader this offseason, and while he’s never been the loudest voice in the room, he leads by example better than almost anyone else on the roster. That kind of approach can leave a mark on the quarterbacks behind him, giving them a clearer model for what it looks like to run the offense and carry the huddle.
Stockton still has one more year to build his place in Georgia football history. A national championship would put him squarely in the conversation with the Bulldogs’ best quarterbacks. But even beyond that, the leadership he passes along may end up being just as valuable for Georgia’s future.
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