The Georgia Bulldogs headed to Atlanta for Day 2 of SEC Media Days. Kirby Smart spoke of the importance of relationships over dollars. We will delve further into what Smart was discussing later this week, but we wanted to focus our efforts on the players. CJ Allen, Daylen Everette, and Gunner Stockton join Smart in Atlanta.
Allen echoed Smart’s sentiments about money. Where many players, whether real or perceived, may be most concerned about money, Allen spoke that money is secondary when it comes to the game on the field. “Keeping the main thing the main thing. NIL can’t just win you the game. No matter how much you make, no matter how much you don’t make, you gotta go out there and play ball.”
Evertte continued to carry the banner of the SEC and laid his claim over who has the best conference in football.“I feel like we’re still THAT conference.” You won’t hear any arguments from this writer on that point. Allen and Evertte are stalwarts on the Georgia defense. They are known commodities. Stockton, though, was an intriguing candidate coming into media days. Was he ready to be Georgia’s QB1, or does he still have to fight off Ryan Puglisi? The fact that Stockton was selected to head to Atlanta was a tell. Let’s learn a little bit more about Georgia’s new QB1: Gunner Stockton.
Meet Georgia’s QB1: Gunner Stockton
Stockton was a backup in 2024, that is, until the end of the year. Carson Beck’s UCL injury in the first half of the SEC Championship game thrust Stockton into QB1. The Junior from Tiger, Georgia, came in and lit a spark for the Dawgs. The stat line isn’t remarkable: 12 of 16, 75 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Watching the game, though, you saw a spark and an edge that Stockton brought to the Georgia offense. Stocktown was named the starter for Georgia in their College Football Quarterfinal matchup against Notre Dame. The stat line improved, but Georgia lost the game, and the offense was held to just 10 points, resulting in a disappointing early exit.
It was the way that Stockton carried himself and with his teammates that proved to be the difference. Stockton reflected on his 2024 season as he spoke to the media.
Last Year’s Experience
“I think it was a great experience, just handling the emotions, the ebbs and flows, it was a great experience. I wouldn’t change anything. But I’m excited for this new year with the SEC schedule. It’s no joke. I’m glad there’s a bunch of home games. Can’t wait for the first one against Marshall. I’m excited.”
Marshall is certainly no Texas or Notre Dame, but it’s how the Dawgs will start the 2025 season. Unlike in years past, Georgia has a relatively soft non-conference schedule with the likes of Marshall, Austin Peay, and Charlotte, before closing out the season in Atlanta with some Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate. The conference schedule at home, though, will be a challenge for Stockton and the Dawgs. Alabama in September, Ole Miss in October, and Texas in November will go a long way toward deciding whether Georgia makes it back to Atlanta or earns a spot in the College Football Playoff. Stockton also shared about the difference of being QB1 now in Athens versus being the backup last year.
“I get more attention in Athens getting pictures and stuff like that. But that comes with the role, and just being more vocal with the team and just enjoying it. I’ve enjoyed the process so far, and I can’t wait for the season. I’m really excited.”
Stockton shared how he and the team are coming together in the era of NIL and the Transfer Portal.
Working with the New Guys
“I think it’s crazy nowadays with the portal and people leaving. I think that’s what makes it special. This is like a new team, a bunch of new guys. Just having the standard at Georgia and setting it and trying to enforce it and it’s been fun just being together and embracing it.”
Smart and Georgia do not use the Portal to build their rosters, unlike those in Boulder or Oxford. Nor do they have to worry about mass turnover, as players are less likely to flee the portal like they do in Starkville, Norman, and Fayetteville. As Allen said earlier, Smart is trying to build something different. Georgia may not be the highest bidder, but they are all about showing their work and worth on the field.
Georgia does see players come and go. Beck was an established two-year starter and likely a high-round draft pick before the injury, gone. In his place, Georgia opted not to go for a quarterback; let’s face it, pickings were slim. Instead, Smart and the Dawgs decided to get some weapons for his young quarterback. Noah Thomas came in from Texas A&M, and Zachariah Branch came over from USC.
Favorite Target(s)
Branch is a speedster and should look to be a game-changer. Thomas is a big-bodied receiver, a key component missing from Georgia’s arsenal in 2024. Stockton shared what has impressed him most about Thomas, as the two have gotten to know and work together in the offseason.
“He’s been great. He came in with a great attitude from Texas A&M and has done a great job. He’s fun to be around. I’m really excited for the year with him.”
It’s just not the new guys that Stockton is looking to throw to. He will also look to call his roommate’s number from time to time as the season heats up.
Oscar (Delp), we actually roomed together since our freshman year. He’s a great guy. Tight ends, they can make your life easy. I’m glad I can call him a good friend.
Georgia has been Tight End U for the last couple of years. Like a big-bodied receiver, that element was missing from the 2024 team. Delp was a starter for most of the year, but failed to live up to the lineage of Darnell Washington and Brock Bowers. Those are big shoes to fill, but having familiarity with Stockton sure helps.
Main Photo: Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
