‘Favoritism’ Accusations Force Kirby Smart to Break Silence After Gunner Stockton’s Georgia Future Confirmed

Having not started a game since his time at Thomasville High School, Gunner Stockton found himself as a starter in the CFB playoff quarterfinal game. Stockton began last season as the backup to Carson Beck and looked set to finish in that role until things changed overnight. Beck suffered a UCL injury during the SEC Championship Game and it thrust Stockton into the spotlight. Stockton looked hungry for the chance as he pulled the team from a 6-3 deficit to a 22-19 victory over the Longhorns and earned his first college start against Notre Dame. And even though the Bulldogs fell short, Stockton had done enough to convince everyone that he will be Kirby Smart’s first choice in the new season.

With Beck moving to Miami, the door is wide open for Stockton to take his place as Georgia’s starter. On Tuesday, he answered questions from the media for the first time this spring and everything suggested that he is the presumed starter for the Bulldogs. “I play more of a leadership aspect. You’re leading every day, just that position, and being able to take command. Just lead the right way and be me,” he said. However, despite his experience at the program, which is a major reason why he is favored to be QB1, he faces competition from former four-star Ryan Puglisi. And this is where Smart faces a challenge. Does he opt for someone who understands the team’s offense better or does he go with the raw talent of Puglisi?

On March 25, Smart appeared on Josh Pate’s College Football Show, as the host shared a fan’s concern about the HC favoring “seniority over talent at quarterback.” Smart answered, “Talent at quarterback is a beautiful thing. You have to be able to go out and execute at that position.  There’s a lot of positions that you can take talent over seniority. At quarterback, you’ve got to take the guy that gives you the best chance to win the game. That includes talent. That includes decision-making. Because that position can get you beat faster than it can win the game.”

Well, if history is anything to go by, Smart and his staff have preferred experience over talent at quarterback. In 2017, Jacob Eason began the season as the Bulldogs’ starter, only to suffer an early injury that opened the door for true freshman Jake Fromm. Fromm seized the opportunity, leading Georgia to an SEC title and a national championship appearance. History repeated itself in 2021 when JT Daniels started the season under center, only to be sidelined by injury. Stetson Bennett, the former walk-on turned leader, stepped up and guided the Bulldogs to their first national championship in over four decades.

Experience is currency when it comes to decisions in Georgia. Puglisi hasn’t played a snap after missing most of last spring with a leg injury. Hezekiah Millender from Clarke Central and Ryan Montgomery, coming off a knee injury, are early enrollees. The Bulldogs have less experience at QB, and this is where Stockton comes in.

He may not have played a lot of competitive football in his three seasons at Georgia, but he has an understanding of how their offense operates under coordinator Mike Bobo. In the college football quarterfinal, he completed 20-of-32 passes for 234 yards with a touchdown and zero interceptions, not bad for your first career start.

Smart made sure to drive the point home. “It helps.” Kirby Smart said of Stockton’s experience. “He understands what we’re trying to do. He’s been through it. I mean, I think about if we had all Gunners at every position they understand the volume of reps, what we’re trying to do. He knows the inside and out and then I get frustrated and impatient when other guys don’t know it like him.”

Smart has long been appreciative of the talent Stockton has, and all in all, it looks like Stockton has his HC’s approval when it comes to him leading the offense this season.

Top Comment by Bobby

When did Gunner Stockton EVER start a game in Thomasville High School? Get your facts right.

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Debate

Smart told Pate that Stockton and Puglisi’s presence gives them options, but they have to build a strong supporting cast. “Gunner’s very talented,” Smart said. “He’s been playing a lot of football for us. Ryan’s very talented. Every school in the country wanted him. So we have talented players (but) we’ve got to get the right talented players around them. That’s the big decision.”

Georgia fans won’t find out their team’s starting QB until the season opener against Marshall on August 30. But at the moment, the chips fall heavily in Stockton’s favor.

Josh Pate believes Gunner Stockton will start at Georgia

Josh Pate had no doubts about Stockton being Georgia’s starting quarterback for this season. “There is zero question to me. Gunner Stockton is going to be the starting quarterback of this team.” He also lauded Smart’s logic of what should go behind choosing the QB. “I don’t think they plan on having All-American caliber playing at quarterback.” “But I think they look at Gunner Stockton and say, number one, ‘he’s probably gonna be our starter,’” said Pate.

Smart is one of the most legendary coaches out there, and we know he will give some serious thought to picking his QB. Beck’s absence seemed like a huge problem some time ago. Smart knows Stockton has it in him to prove why he’s worthy of the role. Puglisi will pose a challenge, but he might have to wait his turn, unless something drastic happens. For now, Stockton looks set to be the main man for the Bulldogs next season.