This weekend, No. 6 Georgia faces No. 15 Tennessee in one of the season’s biggest matchups. And the Bulldogs will turn to Gunner Stockton at QB. But so far, he hasn’t set the world on fire. Because he racked up 417 yards and just two TDs on 58 attempts. Although his legs showed promise against Marshall, questions remain about his ability to lead Georgia against a tough SEC defense. And now Georgia HC Kirby Smart delivered his final message on Stockton.

Look, Stockton has protected the football this season, but he hasn’t been aggressive enough. Given that, his average depth of target is just 7.2 yards, 13th in the SEC and 71st in the country. Now, with Tennessee missing their top two CBs, Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III, due to injuries, Georgia has an opportunity to strike downfield. And it comes down to one player: Stockton, and his willingness to take risks. If he holds back, Kirby Smart may face a tough call. But here, the coach shows his faith in his QB1.

On September 12, during an appearance on Georgia’s live radio show with Scott Howard, Smart was asked, “How well do you think Gunner Stockton will do against Tennessee?” Smart didn’t hold back and said, “I’m excited to see him go play. I can’t wait. He’s worked all his life for this opportunity. He’s worked all, you know, for three years really here, and he’s excited. And he’s had some juice this week, and he’s fired up. So, I can’t wait to see him go play.” In short, the Bulldogs coach’s energy was contagious. And his confidence in Stockton was clear, signaling that the QB is ready for the big stage. But here, Smart made it clear Stockton isn’t in this alone.

“It won’t be him by himself, whether he plays great, and it won’t be him by himself if he makes mistakes, because it takes all 11, and we need everybody to play well around him.” Then he praised Stockton’s character as much as his talent. “But he’s a guy that’s always going to give credit to everybody else, and he always takes the blame when it doesn’t go our way. I’m just glad he’s our quarterback.” So, the message was clear: Stockton has the team behind him, and Smart trusts him to lead. And why not?

Here’s the thing: after Carson Beck left for Miami, Gunner Stockton took the reins of Georgia’s offense. Last season, he had limited playing time but made every snap count. When Beck went down, Stockton stepped in, throwing for 71 yards in the SEC Championship overtime win over Texas. Then he followed that up with 234 yards and a TD in his first career start against Notre Dame in the CFP quarterfinals. So, poise, confidence, and clutch play: Stockton showed he was ready. Now, he enters the 2025 season as the Bulldogs’ starter, ready to make his mark. Still, Stockton faces increasing scrutiny.

Gunner Stockton under the microscope

Well, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt isn’t holding back on Georgia’s passing game. After the Bulldogs’ 28-6 win over Austin Peay, he raised eyebrows about Gunner Stockton’s efficiency. Stockton went 26-for-34 for 227 yards, but went dry on TDs. And he connected well with Colbie Young but struggled on deep throws, missed some open receivers, and nearly threw a pick-six. Given that, on his podcast The Next Round, Klatt was blunt.

“Georgia’s starting quarterback had to throw 34 passes against Austin Peay! Guys, if Julian Sayin or Dante Moore would’ve thrown 34 passes against Austin Peay, they would’ve scored 873,000 points,” stated Klatt. Moreover, he stressed that a game like this should have been a blowout, giving starters a chance to rest before the showdown with the Vols. “Georgia better watch out,” added Klatt. “I’m really, really thinking about just picking Tennessee straight up in that game.” But Kirby Smart stood by Stockton.

“I’m pleased with where he’s at. I want him to have confidence in the pocket and make some throws,” said Smart to reporters. Now, with Tennessee’s defense posing a real challenge, Stockton’s confidence and ability to turn possessions into points will be crucial if Georgia hopes to leave Knoxville with a win.