There’s a new Bulldog barking orders under center in the SEC Championship, againnst the Texas Longhorns and his name is Gunner Stockton. Yep, the Georgia Bulldogs has handed the reins to their sophomore quarterback after starter Carson Beck exited the game with a hand injury as the marquee event unfolds. And boy, does Stockton have a story worth telling!

A homegrown talent, Stockton hails from the small town of Tiger, Georgia (how’s that for irony?). He honed his skills at Rabun County High School, where he wasn’t just good—he was record-breaking. We’re talking Georgia high school records for career passing yards, passing touchdowns, and even rushing touchdowns. The guy was a touchdown machine in cleats.

Standing 6’1″ and weighing in at 215 pounds, Stockton is no stranger to the spotlight. He was a highly-ranked 4-Star recruit coming out of high school, and Georgia fans were thrilled when he decided to stay close to home. While he didn’t see the field in his freshman year in 2022, Stockton made his presence felt behind the scenes, getting a head start by enrolling early and soaking up the playbook. Fast forward to 2024, and Gunner Stockton still has three years of eligibility left, giving Bulldog Nation plenty of time to see what this Tiger-town gunslinger can do. A tantalizing prospect for Georgia fans dreaming of more championships.

The backup QB’s story begins as a four-star recruit and hometown hero, staying close to home to suit up for the Dawgs. The dual-sport athlete also played baseball and helped the Wildcats football team reach the semifinals as a junior, and quarterfinals as a sophomore and a freshman, too, amassing 13,652 passing yards (third in the state behind the likes of Aaron Philo and Trevor Lawrence), 177 passing touchdowns, 4,372 rushing yards and 77 rushing touchdowns in his four-year varsity career. Though he redshirted in 2022 and didn’t see action, he took full advantage of the opportunity to immerse himself in Georgia’s complex playbook. By enrolling early, Stockton showed a level of dedication and preparation that screams future star. “It’s all about building a foundation,” said Stockton in an interview, emphasizing how critical those early months were. Now, as a redshirt sophomore, he’s played in seven games over two seasons, providing glimpses of his potential while waiting for his moment.

With the star #15’s hand injury in the Championship Game, Gunner Stockton had no choice but to step into the spotlight. Though his game time has been limited, Stockton’s performance this season—completing 13-of-16 passes for 135 yards—proves he’s more than just a clipboard carrier. His ability to stay cool under pressure and deliver, especially in games like the matchup against the Tech where he went 10-for-12, shows his readiness to command the offense when needed.

When Kirby Smart needed, Gunner Stockton delivered

“They just said his hand got hit as he was throwing it there,” Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart told the ABC broadcast. After their million dollar, QB had to call his day before halftime due to his hand getting injured. Everyone looked at Stockton for answers for the biggest game of his career, the title game.

Before Georgia backup quarterback Gunner Stockton became the unexpected hero of the SEC Championship, leading the Bulldogs to a nail-biting 22-19 win over the Longhorns, he endured a moment that had everyone holding their breath. Early in the game, Stockton took an absolute monster hit that sent his helmet flying—another hear-attack for the Dawg nation. But the kid didn’t flinch.

After the game, even the typically stoic Kirby Smart couldn’t hold back his emotions. During the postgame interview, Smart got choked up—a rare sight. “I didn’t say one word to him. He believed,” Smart said, his voice cracking with pride. “This kid’s a winner. This kid’s special. He’s a winner.”

Stockton’s finished with just 71 yards.