Who is Gunner Stockton? 5 things you should know about the Georgia quarterback

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton he had been waiting for this moment all his life.

Gunner was promoted from quarterback to the starting quarterback role for the University of Georgia 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, roughly 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 — athleticism is in his blood.

“The most important thing for Gunner is that he knows our community and especially our family, his friends and the people closest to him believe in him,” Rob he told UGASports in a story published on Sunday, December 29. “We have always loved him and we want the best for him. This is something he worked (and dreamed) for.

Rob added, “You look at pictures of your kid and he’s throwing a ball in your backyard and dreaming 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

Gunner’s great grandfather, VD Stocktonserved in World War II. Newspapers at the time referred to him as “Gunner Stockton”.

According to AthleticGunner’s parents liked the nickname so much that they decided to give it to their son.

Gunner’s grandfather died after he left the Georgia game

In October 2010, Gunner’s grandfather, Lawrence Stocktondied shortly after leaving Georgia in a 34-31 overtime loss to the Florida Gators at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

According to ESPNLawrence returned to the rear 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 cute 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 said 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 faced off in a Bulldogs game from Sanford Stadium.

“Pretty good way to end the week,” Gunner said via Instagram next to 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 evidenced by 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 decommit from the University of South Carolina,” Gunner said in a statement at the time. “In August, I decided to commit to the university, the program and the staff. A lot has changed since then and I feel I should reconsider my situation.’

Gunner’s decision came on the heels Will Muschampthe head coach Gunner had committed to was fired.

The quarterback announced his commitment to the University of Georgia later that month.

Gunslinger Stockton drives his grandfather’s old truck on campus

If you see a 1984 Ford F-150 driving around Georgia’s campus, it’s just the team’s starting quarterback.

“It literally broke down, parked at their house and wouldn’t turn,” said his father, Rob, he said Athens Banner-Herald in a story published on Friday, December 27. “He wanted to run it, so we played with him.

According to the outlet, Rob helps run the car dealership, which has been in the family since 1956.

The car does not have air conditioning and has 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.