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Gunner Stockton’s Dad Was A Former College Football Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 1:57 PM ET

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are in New Orleans, Louisiana, to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals from the Sugar Bowl. However, UGA will be missing a key piece in their postseason run.

During the SEC Championship Game win over the Texas Longhorns, quarterback Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury in the final play of the first half. This led to backup Gunner Stockton filling in for the entire second half and most of the playoff. Now, with Beck ruled out for the entire CFP, Stockton will be leading the Bulldogs offense.

Stockton, the sophomore from Rabun County High School (Tiger, GA), isn't the only person with a football background in his family. His father, Rob Stockton, was a college football star himself.

Rob Stockton played for the Georgia Southern Eagles from 1992 to 1995 and is regarded as one of the best safeties in program history. In his four seasons, Rob Stockton tallied 322 tackles, seven interceptions and 20 passes defended. He was also second on Georgia Southern in tackles during his senior season.

During his tenure with the Eagles, Rob Stockton was named second-team All-Southern Conference at defensive back and the first-team Academic All-America in 1995. He was also inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

This will not be the first time Gunner Stockton has played in a big bowl game. In Georgia's 63-3 Orange Bowl win over Florida State last season, the former four-star prospect from the class of 2022 (247 Sports) stepped in during garbage time. He threw for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Now, however, Gunner Stockton is excited to get the start for the Bulldogs.

It’s always been my dream to be the starting QB and Georgia,” Gunner Stockton said.

“It’s ALWAYS been my dream to be the starting QB and Georgia”
-Gunner Stockton

Not chase NIL
Not jump in and out of the portal
Not pout
Not threaten to leave if…

Go Dawgs! pic.twitter.com/es6ewvYINq
— LEE Ring (@HBTFD1) December 30, 2024

With a win on Thursday, Stockton and the Bulldogs would move on to the CFP semifinals, where they would face the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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