Georgia Football

Gunner Stockton: Georgia's Quarterback Holds the Key to 2025 Playoff Dreams

Sports
June 25, 2025•2 min read

Gunner Stockton: Georgia's Quarterback Holds the Key to 2025 Playoff Dreams

As the Georgia Bulldogs gear up for the 2025 college football season, several questions linger despite their position among the nation's elite teams. CBS Sports has identified quarterback Gunner Stockton as the pivotal player whose performance could determine Georgia’s fate in securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Georgia faces several challenges heading into a demanding schedule featuring formidable matchups against Alabama, Texas, Florida, and Ole Miss. Critical areas needing resolution include whether the offensive line can overcome inconsistencies from last season, how effectively a youthful defensive front will perform, and whether the transfer wide receivers can mitigate the drop issues that plagued Georgia’s passing game a year ago.

However, Carter Bahns of CBS Sports underscores that quarterback play remains Georgia's biggest uncertainty. Stockton, once a highly touted top-10 recruit, has spent substantial time as a backup. His limited appearances last season, stepping in for the injured Carson Beck, showed mixed results. During significant contests against playoff-caliber teams Texas and Notre Dame, Stockton completed 32 of 48 passes for a total of 350 yards, with one touchdown pass to running back Cash Jones. Nevertheless, his performances were marred by an interception and a fumble.

Stockton currently battles Ryan Puglisi for the starting quarterback role. While head coach Kirby Smart has yet to officially name a starter, Stockton holds a substantial advantage in terms of experience and handled most first-team snaps during Georgia’s spring game.

National media scrutiny around Stockton’s potential has been ongoing. Paul Finebaum notably questioned Stockton’s capability at the recent SEC spring meetings. Kirby Smart addressed these concerns directly, acknowledging the criticism had reached Stockton and implying that it could fuel his motivation and improvement.

Georgia's offseason strategy focused heavily on bolstering Stockton’s supporting cast. The Bulldogs aggressively recruited wide receivers Noah Thomas and Zachariah Branch through the winter transfer portal, adding dynamic playmaking potential to the offense. Additionally, Georgia acquired Illinois running back Joshua McCray during the spring transfer window to complement returning leading rusher Nate Frazier. Tight ends Oscar Delp and Lawson Luckie further enhance an offense designed to alleviate pressure from the quarterback.

Historically, Georgia has not overly depended on quarterback heroics, except during the challenging 2024 season with Carson Beck, which ultimately fell short of expectations. Given this background, the Bulldogs are unlikely to place overwhelming responsibilities on Stockton. Still, his performance undeniably remains crucial. If Stockton rises to meet expectations, Georgia's path back to the playoff becomes clearer; should he falter, their playoff hopes may become significantly more precarious.

 

Tom Hoffman is a veteran journalist and the grizzled heart of the Athens Chronicle, where he has reported for over four decades. Known for his dogged determination, sharp pen, and old-school ethics, Tom has become a local legend in Athens, Georgia—a storyteller with ink in his veins and justice on his mind. Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachians, Tom’s career began in the early 1970s covering labor disputes and civil rights marches across the South. A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, he cut his teeth chasing city corruption, corporate scandals, and courtroom dramas, earning the respect of readers and colleagues alike. Tom’s signature style is hard-hitting yet deeply human. He has a unique ability to uncover hidden truths while giving voice to the voiceless. Over the years, he’s won numerous state press awards, not for chasing accolades, but because of his relentless pursuit of the truth—often filed from the back booth of his favorite Athens diner, a legal pad in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other. Now semi-retired but still sharp as a tack, Tom focuses on longform pieces that probe deep into regional politics, environmental concerns, and working-class issues. His voice remains a trusted pillar in the community—gravelly, wise, and unwavering. When he's not chasing a lead or editing copy with a red pen, Tom can be found tending his garden, feeding the stray cats that wander onto his porch, or telling stories that are too wild to print—but all of them true.

Tom Hoffman

Tom Hoffman is a veteran journalist and the grizzled heart of the Athens Chronicle, where he has reported for over four decades. Known for his dogged determination, sharp pen, and old-school ethics, Tom has become a local legend in Athens, Georgia—a storyteller with ink in his veins and justice on his mind. Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachians, Tom’s career began in the early 1970s covering labor disputes and civil rights marches across the South. A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, he cut his teeth chasing city corruption, corporate scandals, and courtroom dramas, earning the respect of readers and colleagues alike. Tom’s signature style is hard-hitting yet deeply human. He has a unique ability to uncover hidden truths while giving voice to the voiceless. Over the years, he’s won numerous state press awards, not for chasing accolades, but because of his relentless pursuit of the truth—often filed from the back booth of his favorite Athens diner, a legal pad in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other. Now semi-retired but still sharp as a tack, Tom focuses on longform pieces that probe deep into regional politics, environmental concerns, and working-class issues. His voice remains a trusted pillar in the community—gravelly, wise, and unwavering. When he's not chasing a lead or editing copy with a red pen, Tom can be found tending his garden, feeding the stray cats that wander onto his porch, or telling stories that are too wild to print—but all of them true.

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