Can Gunner Stockton Make A Leap In Year Two?

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Gunner Stockton’s first full season as Georgia’s starting quarterback was a success. Now comes the bigger question: how much better can he be in Year Two?

Stockton enters 2026 as a redshirt senior with something he didn’t have a year ago — an entire season of experience running Georgia’s offense. He started all 14 games in 2025, completing 269 of 386 passes for 2,894 yards, 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He also remained a major threat with his legs, rushing for 462 yards and 10 touchdowns, the most rushing scores among SEC quarterbacks.

Those aren’t mediocre numbers. Stockton finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting, earned third-team All-SEC honors and capped the season by being named SEC Championship Game MVP after throwing three touchdowns in Georgia’s win over Alabama.

But there’s another level available.

Stockton ranked just 43rd nationally with 2,894 passing yards despite finishing sixth nationally with an 84.9 QBR. Georgia already knows Stockton can manage the offense, protect the football and make plays with his legs. The next step is becoming a quarterback who can consistently take over games through the air.

We saw flashes of that player last season.

Stockton threw for a career-high 304 yards at Tennessee, then delivered perhaps his best overall passing performance against Ole Miss, completing 26 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Later against Texas, he completed 24 of 29 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.

That’s the version of Stockton Georgia needs more consistently in 2026.

Entering fall camp, his development has centered around becoming more comfortable with his progressions, footwork, pocket presence and attacking the middle and deeper portions of the field. Georgia also lost an important safety valve from last year’s offense, meaning Stockton will have to distribute the football and make more decisions before the snap.

And after an entire season as QB1, there shouldn’t be much of a learning curve anymore.

Stockton knows Mike Bobo’s offense. He knows what SEC defenses are going to throw at him. He’s played in hostile road environments, won an SEC championship and experienced the pressure that comes with being Georgia’s starting quarterback.

Now it’s about turning experience into dominance.

Nobody should expect Stockton to suddenly become a 4,500-yard pocket passer. That’s not necessarily what Georgia needs him to be. His rushing ability is part of what makes him dangerous, and combining that with another step forward as a passer could make him one of the most complete quarterbacks in college football.

2,894 passing yards, 34 total touchdowns and five interceptions was the starting point.

If Stockton pushes the passing production comfortably over 3,000 yards while maintaining his efficiency and protecting the football, Georgia’s offense could become significantly more dangerous.

Year One proved Gunner Stockton could be Georgia’s quarterback.

Year Two could determine whether he becomes one of college football’s best.

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