Paul Finebaum. © Shanna Lockwood-Imagn Images

Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football QB He's Not Confident In

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The 2025 college football season is just under two months away. While teams still have plenty of time to address any challenges before the season begins, major analysts have already started making predictions.

One such analyst is ESPN's Paul Finebaum, often referred to as the "Mouth of the South." Finebaum is known for his candid critiques of prominent players, programs, and coaches in the sport.

During an episode of "The Paul Finebaum Show," he shared his thoughts on the Georgia Bulldogs, who finished the previous season with an 11-3 record, won the SEC Championship, but were eliminated in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Finebaum mentioned that he has one significant concern about the Bulldogs as they approach the upcoming season.

"I'm not confident in Gunner Stockton," Finebaum said. "I sat with Kirby a couple of weeks ago, and he acted like he was, but I like to give him a lie detector test. Carson Beck had his faults, but I'd much rather have him than Gunner Stockton."

Stockton enters the 2025 season with limited playing time, having appeared in only five games last season. In those games, he passed for a total of 440 yards and one touchdown, with most of his action occurring during the final game and a half of the season after Beck suffered a season-ending injury.

He played a pivotal role in leading the Bulldogs to an overtime victory against the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Championship Game after taking over for Beck, who was injured in the first half.

The Bulldogs won the game 22-19, thanks to Stockton’s courageous eight-yard run on second and eight at the 12-yard line in overtime. On the following play, Trevor Etienne rushed in for the winning touchdown from four yards out.

However, the playoffs did not go as well against Notre Dame, as Georgia lost 23-10 and struggled offensively for most of the game. Stockton completed 20-of-32 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown.

A key moment came when he fumbled the ball with 33 seconds left in the first half. He was sacked for a loss of 12 yards, and Notre Dame recovered the fumble. At that moment, the Bulldogs were trailing 6-3. The Fighting Irish then scored just one play later and returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, extending their lead to 20-3.

Beck decided to transfer to the Miami Hurricanes after the season, which has now left Stockton determined to prove the doubters wrong, including Finebaum, and lead Georgia to another national championship.

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

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