Some quarterbacks love the spotlight. They soak up the cameras, throw out flashy social media posts, and carry themselves like rockstars. Then, there are the ones who just show up, work, and let their game do the talking. Georgia’s QB battle has one of those guys leading the charge. Gunner Stockton, being the one, doesn’t believe in a lot of hullabaloo. The departure of last year’s QB1 Carson Beck has left a void, and if there’s one thing Georgia doesn’t tolerate, it’s uncertainty under center. The expectations in Athens are sky-high; the goal never changes—national titles, not just conference crowns. So, as spring ball heats up, all eyes are on Kirby Smart’s QB hoopla.

Georgia insider Ryan Kerley isn’t tiptoeing around the big question on the Dawg Post the UGA football center. “Can Gunner Stockton do a better job than we saw last year? Which is, I think, what you’ll need to see out of Georgia if you want to see them competing for a national championship again.” That’s the bottom line. Even with a fresh start in the passing game, the Bulldogs still boast elite talent at wide receiver, including newcomers like Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas. “They brought in a couple of freshmen who I think will push for playing time. Talyn Taylor is the one that people are all over,” Kerley added.

Wearing a legend’s digit, Taylor becomes Georgia’s first 5-star wide receiver since George Pickens since 2019. “Hey we’re excited about this guy, he’s wearing number 11, he’s wearing Aran Smith’s number. He was one of the best receivers in this High School class.” The pieces are there, but the Bulldogs need a quarterback who can take them to the next level. And for all the talk about Gunner Stockton’s quiet demeanor, he’s got plenty of believers inside the program.

Kirby Smart has seen QBs of all shapes and styles come through Athens. From Stetson Bennett’s scrappy underdog story to Beck’s polished pocket presence, he’s worked with it all. But he sees something different in Stockton. “He’s very different than Carson and very different than Stetson,” Smart said on 92.9 The Game’s ‘The Steakhouse.’ “He’s different than Jake (Fromm) and JT (Daniels). I mean, he’s kind of his own person. He’s got a quiet confidence about him.” That confidence is key. Stockton isn’t stepping into this battle trying to be the next Bennett or Beck—he’s carving out his own identity.

His mobility gives Georgia a dynamic threat they haven’t had at quarterback in years, something Greg McElroy pointed out when he said Stockton offers “more than what Beck could” in terms of movement. That added dimension could be a game-changer, especially with an offense that is transitioning with new weapons.

Of course, there’s another name in the mix. A young, talented quarterback who has been turning heads since the day he arrived. Smart isn’t just letting Stockton waltz into the QB1 job unchallenged. That’s not how things work in Athens. The 19YO, Ryan Puglisi pushing Stockton, hasn’t played a single snap for Georgia yet, but Kirby Smart has already seen enough to be impressed. “He’s a competitor. He never flinched during the recruiting process,” Smart said. “We had another commitment at times… but he never wavered.” That kind of resilience is what Smart looks for. Georgia doesn’t hand out starting jobs—they make you earn them.

The young quarterback happens to be a baseball player, got an arm on him, and Smart pointed out that he “made some good throws on the run, and he’s got a strong arm.” But there’s a big difference between talent and being ready to lead an SEC powerhouse in a national title chase. That’s where Stockton’s experience, even if limited, comes into play. He’s been in the system, learned the offense, and understands the demands of playing under Smart. But to truly lock down the job, he needs to bring something extra—something that separates him from not just the guy behind him, but from every other quarterback in the country.

As Smart said, the young competitor “has a long way to go in terms of learning exactly what we’re asking him to do. The command of the offense, the volume of the offense.” That same challenge existed for Stockton too. He might be the favorite, but nothing is guaranteed. To truly seize the role, he’ll have to show that he’s not just the safer option, but the right option. The standard is winning now. Stockton has been patient, biding his time, but that time is up.

Kirby Smart has got a “silent leader” in Athens

Not all great leaders need to be loud, and Gunner Stockton is proving that at Georgia. His quiet confidence has drawn comparisons to former Bulldog legend Nick Chubb, another player who let his performance do the talking.

“It’s just quiet confidence,” Kirby Smart said. “I mean, and that’s the way Nick (Chubb) was. You had to pull it out of Nick, and that’s the way it is with Gunner.” Some might question whether a more reserved personality is ideal for a quarterback, but Smart isn’t worried one bit. He believes leadership comes in different forms, and Stockton is already earning respect during spring practices.

“You’d say, ‘Well, I don’t want my quarterback to be that way. I want my quarterback to be loud, boisterous,’” Smart said. “I mean, he is who he is. As he gains more confidence, he takes a greater role. He listens all the time. You might not think he’s listening, but he’s listening. He’s taking notes, and he’s wise, and he’s a great kid is what he is.” Despite limited playtime, Stockton’s 588 yards and 3 touchdowns over two seasons show potential. And as Georgia fine-tunes in spring leading up to the highly anticipated G-Day game on April 12th, all eyes will be on whether he can translate that potential into a louder, more confident presence, as Smart envisions.