Kirby Smart should be putting all his chips on Gunner Stockton as the perfect starting QB for Georgia football the way he lauded his leadership skills following the initial spring practice sessions.
“He’s a tremendous leader…he’s a tough kid that loves football, that loves his teammates,” Smart said about Stockton in his press conference.
“You’re not gonna get a lot of rah-rah out of Gunner. He doesn’t feel like that’s his role. He earns people’s respect by how he works and how he carries himself. He has a lot of confidence in his ability, and he has a lot of knowledge in his system. I think that resonates with the other players. They rally around Gunner and have a lot of respect for him.”
Stockton became an overnight household name after taking over the starting QB role due to Carson Beck’s injury in the SEC Championship game.
All of Smart’s praise and his growing popularity still might not be enough for Stockton to lock in that QB1 position. Although a major favorite, Stockton has Ryan Puglesi as his competitor in the QB battle.
For Smart, it’s just another day at work.
“As far as quarterback, it’s just like every other position,” said Smart. “Every day, you’re fighting and trying to complete with the other guy. You think it’s coach speak, but it’s really not, in the spring, there is no depth chart.
“There’s just reps. And in the spring, we’re giving reps out. We’re getting four reps with four groups at some positions. And we want to see all those guys compete and get better.”
Stockton’s reps seem to be doing the magic for now. We’ll see if it’s enough to cement him as the starter.
