Kirby Smart: Gunner Stockton ‘keeps it moving,’ trusts in Georgia football process.

In the high-stakes world of college football, where the margin for error is razor-thin and the spotlight burns with an almost unbearable intensity, the journey of a quarterback is never a simple one. It is a path fraught with expectations, competition, and the constant pressure to perform at an elite level. For Gunner Stockton, the redshirt junior quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, this journey has been a masterclass in patience, resilience, and unwavering dedication to what head coach Kirby Smart and the program affectionately refer to as “the process.” As the Bulldogs enter a new season with the weight of championship aspirations on their shoulders, the focus has shifted to the young man who now stands poised to lead the offense. Smart’s recent comments about Stockton—that he “keeps it moving” and trusts in the system—are more than just a vote of confidence; they are an insight into the very DNA of a player who has quietly prepared for this moment, all while embodying the core principles that have made Georgia a perennial national power.¹

The path to becoming Georgia’s starting quarterback is unique in college football, a trial by fire that demands a rare blend of talent, mental fortitude, and a selfless commitment to the team. Stockton’s story is a prime example. As a highly-touted recruit from Rabun County High School, he arrived in Athens with a laundry list of Georgia high school records, including career passing touchdowns and total yards.² He was the kind of player who could have easily been a day-one starter at many other programs. Instead, he chose to come to a team with a crowded quarterback room, a move that required him to redshirt his freshman year and bide his time behind a two-time national champion in Stetson Bennett and a first-round NFL draft pick in Carson Beck. Many players in his position would have sought the immediate gratification of the transfer portal. But Stockton stayed, choosing to trust in the developmental culture that Kirby Smart has so meticulously built.³

This trust, as Smart has articulated, is what sets Stockton apart. The coach recently praised his quarterback’s temperament, noting that he is not a player who gets “real emotional high and low.”⁴ In an interview, Smart said, “He messes something up, he keeps it moving.” This simple phrase, “keeps it moving,” speaks volumes. It’s a recognition of Stockton’s ability to compartmentalize and move past mistakes, a critical trait for a quarterback who must lead with poise and confidence. It’s the kind of quality that was also lauded in his predecessor, Stetson Bennett, another player who faced immense pressure and scrutiny but never let a bad play snowball into a bad series. For Stockton, this mindset was forged during his time as a backup, watching and learning from the sidelines. He prepared every week as if he were the starter, a habit that Smart explicitly highlighted as a key to his success.⁵ This behind-the-scenes work ethic became evident when his number was finally called.

Last season, Stockton was thrust into the starting role under the most intense circumstances imaginable.⁶ After Carson Beck suffered an injury in the SEC Championship Game against Texas, Stockton was tasked with leading the team to a comeback victory against one of the top defenses in the country.⁷ He had not received significant reps with the first-team offense all year, yet he recovered from an interception to engineer a game-winning drive in overtime.⁸ The performance, which culminated in a thrilling 22-19 victory, was a testament to his preparation and mental toughness. He was then given the starting nod in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, a game he and the Bulldogs ultimately lost.⁹ But even in defeat, Stockton showed flashes of the talent and competitive fire that Smart and the coaching staff have been nurturing. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown, a performance that, while not perfect, provided the team with immense confidence that their future was in good hands.¹⁰

For Kirby Smart, the process is about more than just physical talent. It’s about instilling a culture of accountability, dedication, and relentless self-improvement. It’s about a player like Stockton, a former star, being willing to redshirt, to spend countless hours in the film room, and to compete with younger players like Ryan Puglisi, who is also vying for the starting job.¹¹ The competition is a key part of the process, a way to ensure that no player ever gets complacent. Smart has made it clear that while Stockton has the inside track, Puglisi is “doing awesome too,” and that the two will be “competing for everything they do.” This approach, which pits talent against talent on a daily basis, is designed to bring out the best in everyone and ensure that whoever takes the field is the most prepared and deserving player for the job.¹²

The trust in this process has been a hallmark of the Georgia football program under Smart.¹³ It’s what allowed an unheralded walk-on like Stetson Bennett to eventually lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships. It’s what has consistently produced elite NFL talent from players who were not always the most highly-ranked recruits. The process emphasizes fundamentals, disciplined execution, and a team-first mentality over individual accolades. For Stockton, a player who has stayed the course and fully embraced this philosophy, the opportunity to be the starting quarterback is a culmination of years of hard work.¹⁴ He has bought into the idea that success is not given, but earned through a daily commitment to getting better.¹⁵ He has become a leader, a captain who affects those around him with his work ethic and calm demeanor.¹⁶

The path forward for Gunner Stockton is not without its challenges. The Bulldogs will have a reloaded receiving corps, and the offense will be adjusted to better suit his skillset under the guidance of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.¹⁷ But the foundations are strong, and the belief in him from the coaching staff and his teammates is unwavering. Smart’s praise for his “competitive toughness” and his ability to “keep it moving” is a powerful signal to the team and to the world that Stockton is the right man for the job.¹⁸ His journey is a perfect narrative for the Georgia football program—a story of a talented player who chose the harder road, trusted in the system, and is now ready to step into the spotlight and lead his team with the same quiet confidence and fierce resolve that have defined his career so far. The process has worked for him, and now, he is ready to show the world the results.