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Kirby Smart Fires Back at Paul Finebaum Over Gunner Stockton Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated May 28, 2025 10:00 PM ET

The Georgia Bulldogs are entering a new era. Their two-year starting quarterback, Carson Beck, has transferred to the Miami Hurricanes, leaving Gunner Stockton as the likely starter.

Although Stockton has primarily played a limited role, he had a significant opportunity in the College Football Playoff, where he started in place of the injured Beck. In that game, Stockton completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. Georgia lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 23-10, in the quarterfinals.

As the Bulldogs prepare for the upcoming season with Stockton as the starter, SEC Network's Paul Finebaum expressed criticism of him during a segment called "Fine or Not Fine" on ESPN.

"I would say that's a big not fine," Finebaum said. "I know the team coalesced around him in the SEC Championship Game, but I was underwhelmed by what I saw from Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame."

Those comments reached Smart, who later appeared on "The Paul Finebaum Show." Finebaum mentioned he wasn't sure if Smart had seen his comments, but Smart confirmed that he did.

"Oh, I didn't miss it," Smart said. "I'm excited. Gunner got the message. He got the message. You did your job."

Smart expressed that he loves it when people like Finebaum criticize Georgia, as it serves as motivation for him.

"I love when you have question marks," Smart said. "You provide a lot of motivation for us, Paul. That's why I keep coming back to your show, because you keep giving me great question marks."

Smart mentioned this year's team is replacing a significant amount of talent on both the offensive and defensive lines with younger players, which raises some valid question marks.

Stockton, a four-star recruit and a top 150 player in the 2022 recruiting class, has played in only nine games so far. During those games, he has thrown for 588 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions with a completion rate of 68.7 percent.

The Bulldogs are set to open their season against Marshall on Aug. 30.

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

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