'We were in the huddle like, oh man, here we go' - Former Georgia OL Tate Ratledge gets real about Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton

Redshirt junior quarterback Gunner Stockton, a former four-star recruit, is set to take over as the starting quarterback in Athens this fall thanks to Carson Beck's decision to transfer to Miami. 

Stockton saw his first significant action for the Bulldogs last season when he replaced an injured Beck in the SEC Championship game against the Texas Longhorns. 

The Georgia native passed for 71 yards and one interception in the Bulldogs' win against the Longhorns. Stockton then passed for 234 yards and a touchdown in Georgia's loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff. 

Stockton is an obviously talented quarterback, but he still has a lot to prove when it comes to excelling in the SEC.

Former Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge, however, is confident that Stockton can be an effective starter for the Bulldogs.

Ratledge, a second round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL Draft, recently joined the Like a Farmer podcast and he made it clear that he's confident in Stockton's ability to lead the Georgia offense. 

"Gunner? [He's a] baller," said Ratledge when asked about Stockton. "He is a church mouse off the field -- does not say a word. On the field, complete flip. I mean, we were playing Texas, he came in the Texas game, it was the third play of the second half. He scrambles, runs, and lowers his shoulder on a corner[back], gets up and starts talking s--t to him. We were in the huddle like, 'oh man, here we go'. He's fired up. It's the complete opposite (of his off-field persona). I think [Georgia] is in good hands with him back there throwing the ball around. He's got that whole team behind him." 

Stockton will get his first chance to prove Ratledge right on August 30 when Georgia opens the season against Marshall. 

His first big test, though, will come on September 13 when the Bulldogs travel to Knoxville for an important early-season showdown against the Tennessee Vols.