Gunner Stockton is from rural Georgia, grew up tending to farm animals — he especially loves his black angus cows — and drives a 1984 Ford pickup truck that belonged to his grandfather.
Stockton also is a career backup who was thrust into Georgia's
SEC title game triumph against Texas — memorably holding on to the ball when his helmet was knocked off by a heavy hit. Now comes his first start for the Bulldogs in place of the injured
Carson Beck, a prolific passer whose Italian sports car made him an NIL poster child.
“We got one quarterback that’s got a Lamborghini and one quarterback that drives a two-door, F-150,” Delp said. “It’s crazy times.”
To Etienne, Stockton's lifestyle choices are emblematic of his approach to playing quarterback.
“He's not really the one that's into the flashy stuff," Etienne said. "He's willing to put the work in — the dirty, hard work. He's not scared.”
Stockton didn't sound unnerved by the high stakes attached to his maiden start.
Unlike the SEC title game, when he came in cold and helped steer Georgia to a comeback win, he's had three weeks to prepare as QB1.
“It's a big burden, but I enjoy it," Stockton said. "And that's the way it's supposed to be.”
