Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton He’s been waiting for this moment all his life.
Gunner was elevated to the role of starting quarterback for the University of Georgia after quarterback Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury during the SEC championship game against Texas on Dec. 7. Beck underwent season-ending surgery and has since declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Born in Tiger, Georgia, approximately 75 miles from the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Gunner grew up a big Bulldogs fan. The son of two college athletes — his father, Rob, played football at Georgia Southern and his mother, Sherri, played basketball at Erskine College — he has athletics in his blood.
“The number one thing about Gunner is that he knows our community and especially our family, his friends and the people closest to him believe in him,” Rob said UGASports in a story published Sunday, Dec. 29. “We have always loved him and want the best for him. It’s something he’s worked for (and) something he’s dreamed of.”
Rob added: “You look at pictures of your kid and he’s throwing the ball in your backyard and he dreams of being the starting quarterback at the University of Georgia. It happened. It’s unreal.”
For more on Gunner’s story, keep reading.
Gunner Stockton was named after his great-grandfather
The great-grandfather of a gunner, VD Stocktonparticipated in World War II. A newspaper at the time called him “the Stockton gunner.”
According to AthleticGunner’s parents liked the nickname so much that they decided to give it to their son.
The shooter’s grandfather died after leaving a game in Georgia
In October 2010 gunner’s grandfather Lawrence Stocktondied shortly after Georgia’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Florida Gators at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.
According to ESPNLawrence returned to the backfield after the game and collapsed and died of a heart attack. He was 63 years old.
Gunner Stockton is close to his older sister
Gunner shares a close bond with his oldest sister, Georgiahis only sibling.
The duo shared a sweet moment when Georgia was dropped off at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina in the summer of 2019.
“PC officially has a baller on campus,” Gunner shared via Instagram. “I know it’s going to be hard for you not to see me every day, but I hope it’s not too hard for you 😂. You are the best. I love you more than you know ❤️”
In 2021 Gunner and Georgia took a Bulldogs game from the sidelines at Sanford Stadium.
“Pretty good way to end the week,” shared Gunner via Instagram along with a picture of him and his sister.
Gunner, Georgia and the rest of their extended family spent the holidays together in 2024, just days before the Bulldogs’ game against Notre Dame in the 2025 Sugar Bowl, as seen in a series of photos shared by Georgia via Instagram.
Gunner Stockton originally committed to South Carolina
Gunner originally committed to play quarterback at SEC rival South Carolina. However, he announced its cancellation in January 2021.
“After much discussion and prayer with my family, I have decided to retire from the University of South Carolina,” Gunner said in a statement at the time. “Back in August, I made the decision to commit to the university, the program and the staff. A lot has changed since then and I feel I need to reassess my situation.”
Gunner’s decision came on the heels of Will Muschampthe head coach Gunner committed to was fired.
The quarterback announced his commitment to the University of Georgia later that month.
Shooter Stockton drives his grandfather’s old truck around campus
If you see a 1984 Ford F-150. to move around Georgia’s campus, that’s just the team’s starting quarterback.
“It was literally broken down, parked at their house and wouldn’t turn,” his father, Rob, said to Athens Banner-Herald in a story published Friday, Dec. 27. “He wanted to make it work, so he and I tinkered with it.”
According to the outlet, Rob helps run a car dealership that has been in the family since 1956.
The truck has no air conditioning and over 300,000 miles on the odometer.
“I’d say he’s going to keep driving that old truck no matter what opportunities come his way,” Rob said.
