Paul Finebaum Sounds Off on Major College Football QB Ahead of 2025 Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated May 28, 2025 10:58 AM ET

Several college football teams are undergoing a "changing of the guard" at the quarterback position as their longtime starters have decided to move on.

Some of these starters, like Quinn Ewers of the Texas Longhorns, have left to pursue opportunities in the NFL. On the other hand, Carson Beck of the Georgia Bulldogs surprised many by initially declaring for the NFL draft after the season, only to reverse his decision and transfer to the Miami Hurricanes instead.

Gunner Stockton is expected to step into Beck's role for the Bulldogs. Stockton took over for Beck in the second half of the SEC Championship Game against Texas after Beck suffered an injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season. Stockton then made his first start in the following game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a 23-10 loss in the College Football Playoff.

In a segment called "Fine or Not Fine" on ESPN, SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum expressed his belief that Georgia is "not fine" at quarterback as it heads into the new season.

"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."

Finebaum stated that head coach Kirby Smart has consistently supported Stockton, but he believes that is primarily due to the lack of alternatives for Georgia until next year, when five-star recruit Jared Curtis is expected to join the team. Finebaum expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the Bulldogs.

In his one and a half games played as Georgia's starter, Stockton threw for 305 yards, one touchdown and one interception, completing 66.7 percent of his passes. He played a crucial role in leading a second-half comeback against Texas, including a vital eight-yard run on second and eight from the 12-yard line in overtime. On the next play, Trevor Etienne scored a four-yard touchdown to secure the 22-19 victory.

Now, Stockton enters a full offseason as the starter, hoping to lead Georgia back to national championship glory for the first time since 2022.

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

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