Georgia HC Kirby Smart remains confident in QB Gunner Stockton: 'His best play was in the biggest moments'

Since the program's second consecutive national title in the 2022 season, Georgia has been trying to claw its way back to a position that was once familiar for Smart and his coaching staff.

Another premature exit from the CFP followed last season in a campaign that was more of an unknown as Stockton took over at QB following Carson Beck's transfer to Miami.

Stockton first took over for Beck during the 2024 SEC Championship Game against Texas when Beck suffered a UCL injury in his right throwing elbow. He followed that up by making his first career start against Notre Dame in the CFP quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl, a game Georgia would lose, 23-10.

Even though Georgia fell short again last season, Stockton completed 69.7% of his passes for 2,894 yards with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions, in addition to 462 yards and 10 TDs on the ground. The part of his game that impressed Smart the most, however, was his ability to step up in clutch situations and big environments.

"I think this year is more of a confidence," Smart said. "I think coming into this event last year, he's 1-1, he's got a second half against Texas and then a loss to Notre Dame. There's still some questions, right? There's still some growth process and we didn't really know what we had. After this past year, to see him play on the road in some really tough environments. His best play was in the biggest moments, which I think you can measure a quarterback by that. Fourth-quarter comebacks and fourth-quarter play, he was elite at and I think that confidence gives him something real to stand on. Although he wouldn't say it, he embodies it."

Regardless of the improvements that Stockton makes going into his senior season and second as the starter, it will not be an easy road. According to DraftKings, 11 of the top 20 teams on the oddsboard to win the 2026 CFP national title are from the SEC, so Stockton will certainly be tested again.

With notable games against Oklahoma, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss and Missouri — all teams that are in that group at the top of the oddsboard — Georgia will have to earn its way to the title game.

Unlike last season, though, Stockton has some experience behind him and has showed multiple times that he is capable of rising to the occasion in the biggest moments. Georgia will be counting on that to happen once again.