Gunner Stockton has waited his turn. He’s watched, learned, and bided his time behind Carson Beck, knowing the day would come when the Georgia Bulldogs offense would be his to command. Now, even with Beck gone, the 6’1” path to QB1 is anything but clear-cut. Redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi looms as a legitimate challenger, and some fans aren’t convinced Kirby Smart will hand the keys to #14 without an all-out battle. Georgia doesn’t just reload at quarterback—they refine, they demand excellence, and they make every snap a proving ground.

So, when spring practice opens on March 11, the competition won’t just be about who can run the offense—it’ll be about who can handle the weight of expectations. The Dawgs rank just 105th in returning production for 2025, meaning whoever wins the job will have to build chemistry with a largely unproven supporting cast. That’s why On3’s J.D. PicKell didn’t shy away from making a call. “It’s going to look different, it’s going to look very, very different offensively,” PicKell said. “I think Gunner Stockton will win the job.” That confidence in Gunner Stockton isn’t just about his SEC title game rush and Sugar Bowl heroics – it’s about Georgia’s identity. The Bulldogs don’t just want a quarterback who can sling it; they want one who can take command of the offense while keeping defenses on their heels.

PicKell doubled down on this, emphasizing that no matter who starts, Georgia’s philosophy won’t change. “I’ve been told from people close to that program, they’re going to find a way to run the football like no matter the circumstance. They’re going to find a way to be a team that can punish you on the ground.” That’s a clear message—Stockton won’t just need to win through the air; he’ll need to prove he can be an extension of Georgia’s relentless rushing attack.

That’s where the intrigue deepens. Gunner Stockton, while not widely known as a dual-threat quarterback, has enough mobility to be a factor in the ground game. PicKell expects Georgia to lean into that. “When they do that, you’ll have to respect the box a little bit more,” he said. “I expect Gunner Stockton to be mixed into that run game. There’s an attitude there for Georgia.” That’s a crucial statement—Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo aren’t just looking for a pure pocket passer. They want a quarterback who can make the right reads, extend plays, and force defenses to account for his legs as much as his arm. And if Stockton is that guy, the Bulldogs’ offense will have a new dimension to it in 2025.

But if there’s one thing standing between Stockton and the starting job, it’s Ryan Puglisi’s raw potential. Bobo isn’t just tossing out compliments for the sake of it—he sees something in the redshirt freshman that could make this a much tighter race than some expect. “He’s a guy that’s got a strong arm,” Bobo said. “He’s a guy that’s one year in this offense, is learning the offense, and studies extremely hard.” That last part might be the most important. Puglisi isn’t just a developmental project—he’s already shown signs of understanding the intricacies of Georgia’s system. Bobo also added that Puglisi is “more athletic than people give him credit for and has a good understanding and takes command when he’s in the huddle and shows all the attributes you’d like in a quarterback.” That could be a direct challenge to Stockton—this job isn’t his by default.

And while Stockton has a slight edge in experience, the Bulldogs aren’t exactly dealing with a seasoned group around him. That could make Smart hesitant to commit early, especially if Puglisi’s progress continues through the offseason.

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Meanwhile, signee Ryan Montgomery won’t be cleared for practice until June, so the quarterback depth chart will primarily feature Stockton, Puglisi, and a handful of walk-ons Colter Ginn, Collin Drake, and Sam Bush will see their share of work this spring.

This isn’t just a quarterback battle—it’s a defining moment for Georgia’s next offensive identity.

The Gunner Stockton Effect: Why Georgia is Rallying Behind Stockton

It didn’t take long for Gunner to gun down the Georgia locker room. The energy shift when he took the field in the SEC Championship Game against Texas, attempting 8 rushes gaining crucial 8 yards, was undeniable. And his teammates took notice—especially former teammate Malaki Starks.

“I mean, he’s the guy that you want to lead, to get behind. A lot of guys have confidence in him,” Starks said. “I think you saw it during the game in the SEC; a bunch of guys believed in him. He’s easy to follow. But he also puts the work in, and he wants to be better. Like, every day, like, he’s asking questions. Like, you can see where he wants to go with it. I think that’s a big thing that everybody loves to see out of him.”

That kind of leadership is hard to teach, and Stockton’s presence is already influencing how Bobo and the Georgia staff are approaching the offense. According to sources, the Bulldogs may incorporate more mesh concepts to maximize Stockton’s skill set, giving wideouts, tight ends, and running backs more opportunities to get the ball in space.