Kirby Smart on Georgia starting Gunner Stockton: 'All the players play harder for him'

With Carson Beck out for the remainder of the season due to a UCL injury, Gunner Stockton will be Georgia‘s starting quarterback in the College Football Playoff. On Monday, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart raved about the redshirt sophomore.

“All the players play harder for him,” Smart said. “Do you make the players around you better is what you look for in a quarterback. I think he raises the skill level of everybody around him because of who he is.
So that’s my reason for believing he’s a good quarterback.”

Stockton replaced Beck in the second half of the SEC Championship after Beck suffered his injury on the final play of the first half. Stockton took advantage of his opportunity, completing 12-of-his-16 pass attempts for 71 yards.

Although Stockton threw one interception, he ultimately looked comfortable in the pocket for the Bulldogs, leading them to a 22-19 victory in overtime. Smart believes Gunner Stockton not only possesses desirable leadership qualities, but physical talent as well.

“Well, I think the No. 1 thing a quarterback has to have is decision-making skill. No. 1, he makes really good decisions. No. 2 thing for a quarterback is accuracy. Not necessarily arm talent, but accuracy. He has accuracy. So decision-making is a skill. Accuracy is a huge skill.

“Athletic ability and talent probably takes over third. He has those traits. All the intangibles in terms of toughness, character, embody what he was raised on. His dad was a really good football player, played at Georgia Southern. He’s been raised around football. He’s a coach’s son.”

Stockton hasn’t gained his teammates’ respect by accident. Earlier this week, Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge relayed a story about Stockton that emphasized his leadership skills.

“The way he steps in, calls the plays, and just goes about his business. I mean, I walked in here the other night at 10 o’clock because I forgot something, Gunner’s sitting in there watching film,” Ratledge said. “Just his buy-in right now is what’s huge, and just the respect he has from everybody.

“Gunner’s just a guy you want to block for. I mean, he’s just a great guy. Like I said, plays with emotion, brings everybody with him, and now he has the whole team behind him, ready to roll.”

Stockton’s leadership will be put to the test on Wednesday when Georgia squares off against Notre Dame at 8:45 p.m. ET in the CFP quarterfinals. The game will air live on ESPN.