Georgia QB Gunner Stockton had more high school rushing TDs than Nick Chubb and the most passing TDs in Georgia history
Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton will be UGA’s starter moving forward with Carson Beck out. Stockton has just 51 career passing attempts in college, but he has a ton of experience from his time at Rabun County High School.
In fact, Stockton is one of the most prolific passers in Georgia high school history. Stockton has the most passing touchdowns (177) of any quarterback in Georgia high school history. Stockton is third all-time in passing with 13,652 passing yards. He trails only Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo and former Clemson star Trevor Lawrence.
The Rabun County standout passed for over 400 yards five times in his high school career. He passed for an insane 55 touchdowns during his senior season, which is the second-most (tied) in Georgia high school history.
Stockton threw six touchdown passes in a game nine times in his high school career. Stockton, who was a four-year starter, threw at least 34 passing touchdowns in all four seasons with Rabun County.
Stockton is known as a dual-threat player. Only 25 players have more career rushing touchdowns in Georgia high school history than Stockton’s 77 rushing touchdowns.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound quarterback showed toughness, accuracy and strong arm during his high school career.
Gunner Stockton high school highlights (senior year)
Stockton is expected to make his first career start in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 at 8:45 p.m. ET.
Carson Beck’s sloppy play has led many Georgia football fans to wonder who could start over him.
One big takeaway from the Georgia Bulldogs’ 34-20 win over the Florida Gators was the play of quarterback Carson Beck, who threw three interceptions.
He threw two touchdowns to win the game, but his turnovers caused the defense to be backed up in Georgia territory a few times. That allowed Florida to score on short fields and stay ahead for the majority of the game.
You could make a legitimate argument that the Gators would’ve won the game if it weren’t for second-string quarterback DJ Lagway going down with an injury, and Beck was a big reason.
Unfortunately, turnovers have hurt Beck all season. Since Week 2, Beck has more interceptions than touchdowns (10 touchdowns, 11 interceptions). This is the second game in a row in which he’s had three interceptions. While you can somewhat understand the struggles in the Texas game because of the stout secondary he played against, Florida had two defensive backs out for this matchup.
Fans are left feeling unsatisfied after the win and unsure if Georgia can remain the top team in the SEC. If UGA loses to Ole Miss and Beck throws multiple interceptions again, fans will be looking for a quarterback change ahead of the Tennessee game.
Here are the options Georgia could choose from should they choose to bench Beck:
Gunner Stockton
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The most experienced among Georgia’s backups is sophomore Gunner Stockton. He’s the only one with reps for Georgia. The former four-star recruit has thrown for 238 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his career.
Looking at the tape from him from high school and college, he has an impressive deep ball, even while scrambling. Sometimes, his footwork can look wonky, but his arm is so strong it doesn’t matter.
Stockton likes targeting the middle of the field and down the sidelines. He can scramble, too. At 6 feet, 1 inch and 220 pounds, he has elite size.
Jaden Rashada
Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Rashada has more experience starting than Stockton due to his freshman season at Arizona State. Last season, Rashada was the starter for the first two games before suffering an injury that took him out of the lineup until November. He came back for 2023’s last game against Arizona. Overall, he had 485 yards passing, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
The former four-star recruit transferred to Georgia in the summer of 2024. Rashada shows legit mobility and a quick release. Some development will help him go through his reads quicker.
Ryan Puglisi
Puglisi has not yet played for Georgia, but the four-star recruit has shown some solid tape at high school. Puglisi excels at ball placement, and he keeps his eyes downfield when under pressure.
He could improve at holding linebackers and safeties with his eyes. Puglisi can stand to be more accurate, but he has a great arm, which he also used to be a great pitching/shortstop prospect out of New England. Puglisi is the least likely of the Georgia quarterbacks to play due to his lack of college experience.
Previewing Georgia football’s quarterback room, which features All-SEC passer Carson Beck
The Georgia Bulldogs return first-team All-SEC quarterback Carson Beck for the 2024 college football season. Beck is drawing a significant amount of Heisman and NFL draft buzz as he enters his senior season.
The big question is who is Georgia’s top back-up if Beck gets hurt?
The answer is Gunner Stockton. Stockton is Georgia’s most experienced and most mobile option at quarterback outside of Carson Beck.
“We have a group of quarterbacks that have done a great job,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. “I think we’ve got depth at the quarterback position that we’re not used to having in terms of guys that have experience, some guys that are young, some guys that have played like Gunner and Jaden (Rashada), and they’ve done a tremendous job. Gunner’s had two of his better scrimmages, and had probably his best scrimmage since being here in the last one. I’m really pleased with where all those guys are.”
Arizona State transfer Jaden Rashada is still adjusting to Georgia’s offensive system, but he brings starting experience and arm talent to the UGA quarterback room.
Georgia football’s depth chart at quarterback
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton is UGA’s No. 2 option at quarterback. Mady Mertens-USA TODAY Sports
1. Carson Beck (Senior)
2. Gunner Stockton (Redshirt Sophomore)
3. Jaden Rashada (Redshirt Freshman)
4. Ryan Puglisi (Freshman)
Carson Beck finished the 2023 season with the fifth-best quarterback rating in the country at 86.0. Beck is entering his second season as a starter. He’s a quick decision maker and accurate passer.
Georgia coaches have wanted for Beck to improve his deep passing. He has flashed more consistency on deep balls in spring and in fall camp.
Hopefully, Georgia never has to play a quarterback outside of Carson Beck in a high leverage situation. The Bulldogs should get a good look at their quarterback depth in Week 2 against Tennessee Tech.
Is quarterback depth a concern? Georgia has just three scholarship quarterbacks ahead of spring practice.
The Georgia Bulldogs have one of the country’s best quarterback rooms for the 2024 season. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announced his return to Athens in December and is a big reason why Georgia is preseason national championship favorites (+350, per BetMGM).
Georgia lost some depth at quarterback this offseason as Brock Vandagriff transferred to Kentucky. Additionally, Dylan Raiola’s last-minute flip to Nebraska means that Georgia has just three scholarship quarterbacks entering spring practice.
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Obviously, Carson Beck is the starter for Georgia this season. However, what other options does Georgia have? Georgia’s quarterback depth is a concern, but fortunately the Bulldogs return a stout offensive line, so it is unlikely that Beck will take too many hits this fall. Let’s take a look at Georgia’s projected quarterback depth chart entering spring practice.
Dissecting the Georgia football quarterback room: who will start?
The quarterback position will define Georgia’s 2023 college football season. The Bulldogs received excellent play from Stetson Bennett the past two seasons.
Now, Georgia and first-year offensive coordinator Mike Bobo are deciding who will start at quarterback for the fall. Early this offseason, head coach Kirby Smart emphasized that decision-making will determine who ends up as the starting quarterback.
Smart’s 2023 edition of the Bulldogs has the talent to win another national championship. Will quarterback play hold back Georgia?
Georgia needs its quarterbacks to limit mistakes in most games during the regular season. However, once November and December roll around, Georgia will need high-level quarterback play to return to the College Football Playoff.
Here’s how we project Georgia’s quarterback room for the 2023 season:
“There’s a mission and just play for the team every single day.”
Georgia’s offense will look much different in 2023 with the departure of two-time national champion quarterback Stetson Bennett and offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
New offensive coordinator Mike Bobo now holds the keys to the Bulldogs attack, but all eyes will be on the quarterback battle between Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton this offseason.
Vandagriff, a rising redshirt sophomore, and Stockton, a freshman who redshirted in 2022, have ground to gain over rising senior Beck, who backed up Bennett in 2023.
Beck completed 36 of 58 passes for 486 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions and 12 runs for 58 yards over the last two seasons.
Beck spoke recently on the offseason competition with 247Sports.
“I’ve learned a lot. I’ve sat behind some great quarterbacks who have done a lot in their careers, especially Stetson. Watching them and how they prepare, there are little bits and pieces that you can take from every guy that’s come through our program. I can apply some of that to my game. There are things that you figure out. I’ve been here for three years. I’ve matured a lot in terms of not only the football side but also just the life side. I think sitting and you know, being patient, like you said, has ultimately made me a better player and a better person for it.”
Beck spent three years under the tutelage of Monken, who gradually improved Georgia’s offense statistically each season.
“I’d say my strong suits are that I am very smart, so the mental part of the game. I think another thing that’s added to that is being in the system for three years and understanding what we are trying to do with the offense. We got a bunch of dudes — wide receivers, tight ends, running backs, and just distributing the ball around. I feel like that’s one of my strengths.”
Beck said he benefited from sitting behind Bennett.
“The biggest thing I learned from Stetson is just focusing on what needs to be done. I know, that sounds so simple, but it’s very hard sometimes with all the outside noise. He’s got it the most out of anybody. I think that’s one of the biggest takeaways that I can take from him. It’s just focusing on what needs to be done. There’s a mission and just play for the team every single day.”
Georgia returns six starters on offense, including leading receivers Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey.
“We’re very young if you really look at it. We got a lot of great dudes on our offense that are explosive and can make plays right after the catch. Go up and get balls. It’s super exciting. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”
Spring practice is scheduled to begin the week of March 14, culminating with the annual G-Day spring game in Sanford Stadium on April 15.
‘They’re going to be really good quarterbacks’ – KS
For the first time in two seasons, Georgia has a sure-fire starting quarterback. Kirby Smart has tabbed Stetson Bennett as UGA’s signal caller headed into the 2022 season.
As the kickoff versus No, 11 Oregon looms, Smart gives his take on the backup quarterback race, consisting of junior Carson Beck and sophomore Brock Vandagriff after Georgia’s second scrimmage of camp on Saturday.
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The Bulldogs have had plenty of drama at quarterback ever since heralded Jake Fromm departed to the NFL after the 2019 season.
Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman was the guy for about two weeks in 2020 before opting out citing COVID-19 concerns. Then a battle ensued between D’Wan Mathis, now a starter at Temple, and Stetson Bennett before J.T Daniels stepped in for the rest of the year.
In 2021 the legend of ‘The Mailman’ was born as Bennett resurged after Daniels’ injury and led the Bulldogs to the promise land.
Entering 2022 the Bulldogs have one of the strongest quarterback rooms in the country due, in part, to Beck and Vandagriff.
“I think both of those guys have done an incredible job. They’re going to be really good quarterbacks,” Smart said. “They understand our system at a high level, they’ve been through springs, they’re both playing winning football and I’m pleased with both of their growths. We continue to get them more opportunities because we’re trying to evaluate them as a one, more than you are as a two or three because sometimes the offensive line changes when you do that.”
Even true freshman Gunner Stockton, a former four-star prospect, has made strides in his own right.
“I thought Gunner made some really good plays today,” Smart said. “You don’t get to see as much of Gunner because we do fours in our practice. He gets reps, which is good, but he gets primary reps in the scrimmage when he gets to go out there with the threes and things. And I thought he did a good job. I have a lot of confidence in all of our quarterbacks.”
Ranking Georgia’s top-5 offensive players for 2021: No. 1 QB JT Daniels
We are currently ranking Georgia’s top-five offensive players for the 2021 college football season.
5. WR George Pickens
4. OL Jamaree Salyer
3. WR Arik Gilbert
2. RB Zamir White
And at No. 1, we have quarterback JT Daniels.
Daniels looks ready to lead the Bulldogs in 2021 and he should be one of the nation’s top quarterbacks at the end of the season.
He had a phenomenal first year with Georgia, throwing for 1,231 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in four games.
Everything seemed to click when Daniels lined up under center, and years of built-up frustration with the Georgia offense began to slip away.
Daniels transferred to UGA after spending the first two seasons of his career at USC. Daniels transferred from the Trojans following an ACL injury he suffered during the 2019 season opener. Daniels was still rehabbing the injury when he arrived in Athens and was not cleared to play until later in the 2020 college football season.
In three seasons at the prestigious Mater Dei High School, JT Daniels averaged more than 50 touchdown passes and 4,000 passing yards per season. Daniels was rated as the third ranked quarterback in his recruiting class behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.
Daniels has solid experience from his days at USC. In 2018, Daniels threw for 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Trojans. The former five-star recruit has the talent to put it all together this season.
Georgia Bulldogs redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Beck got the majority of the reps for the Black team in the spring game
Carson Beck, Quarterback (No. 15):
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 pounds
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
High School: Mandarin High School
Georgia Bulldogs redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Beck got the majority of the reps for the Black team in the spring game. Beck gained valuable experience and played pretty well, finishing the contest with 236 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He went 22 of 31 on his passing attempts.
Beck picked up a redshirt as a freshman. He played late against the Missouri Tigers in 2020, but did not have a chance to throw a pass. Look for him to see more action in 2021.
Beck enrolled early at the University of Georgia. He was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020. Additionally, before coming to Athens, Beck competed at the prestigious 2019 Elite 11 camp.
Will Beck begin the season as Georgia’s No. 2 quarterback? He will face some talented opposition. Georgia’s quarterback position has impressive depth this season with Brock Vandagriff, Carson Beck and Stetson Bennett ready to step in if J.T. Daniels suffers an injury.
Georgia leads Auburn 24-3 at halftime. Here are the key players and team stats so far.
No. 4 Georgia leads No. 7 Auburn 24-3 at halftime after dominant first half by the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s most valuable players of the first half were junior quarterback Stetson Bennet, who is making his first career start for the Bulldogs, and redshirt sophomore running back Zamir White and sophomore receiver Kearis Jackson.
Player stats:
Bennett – 12/22, 155 yards with one touchdown
White – 17 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns
Jackson – 7 receptions for 104 yards
Team Stats:
1st downs: UGA 15, Auburn 5
Total yards: UGA 288, Auburn 81
Passing yards : UGA 158, Auburn 54
Rushing yards : UGA 130, Auburn 27
Time of possession: UGA 18:04, Auburn 11:56
Penalties : UGA 6 for 49 yards, Auburn 4 for 30 yards
Georgia’s offensive line is doing whatever they want with Auburn right now, and the Bulldogs running backs are taking advantage.
Bennett has been sharp and decisive with the football, especially on third downs.
All good news for Georgia so far, tune-in for the second half coming up on ESPN.
