Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton has been waiting a lifetime for this moment.
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 December 7. Beck underwent season-ending surgery and has since declared himself for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Born in Tiger, Georgia, roughly 75 miles from University of Georgia’s campus in Athens, Gunner grew up a massive fan of the Bulldogs. A son of two collegiate athletes — his father, Rob, played football at Georgia Southern and his mom, Sherri, played basketball at Erskine College — he has athletics in his blood.
“The number one thing for Gunner is he’s known our community, and especially our family, his friends, and those people closest to him, believe in him,” Rob told UGASports in a story published on Sunday, December 29. “We’ve always loved him and want the best for him. This is something that he’s worked for [and] something he’s dreamed of.”
Rob added, “You look at pictures of your kid, and they’re throwing the ball in your backyard and dreaming of being the starting quarterback at the University of Georgia. It has happened. It is unreal.”
For more about Gunner’s story, keep reading.
Gunner Stockton Was Named After His Great-Grandfather
Gunner’s great-grandfather, V.D. Stockton, served in World War II. A newspaper at the time referred to him as “Gunner Stockton.”
According to The Athletic, Gunner’s parents liked the nickname so much that they decided to give it to their son.
Gunner’s Grandfather Died After Leaving a Georgia Game
In October 2010, Gunner’s grandfather, Lawrence Stockton, died shortly after leaving Georgia’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Florida Gators at Jacksonville’s EverBank Field.
According to ESPN, Lawrence walked back to a tailgating area after the game and collapsed and died from a heart attack. He was 63 years old.
Gunner Stockton is Close With His Older Sister
Gunner shares a close bond with his oldest sister, Georgia, his 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 shared via Instagram. “I know it’s gonna be hard for you not seeing me everyday but hopefully it won’t be too hard for ya 😂. You are the best. Love you more than you know ❤️”
In 2021, Gunner and Georgia took in a Bulldogs game from the sidelines of Sanford Stadium.
“Pretty good way to end the week,” Gunner shared via Instagram alongside 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 his decommitment 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. “Back in August, I made the decision to commit to the University, program, and staff. A lot has changed since that time, and I feel that I should reevaluate my situation.”
Gunner’s decision came on the heels of Will Muschamp, the head coach to which Gunner committed, being fired.
The quarterback announced his commitment to the University of Georgia later that month.
Gunner Stockton Drives His Grandfather’s Old Truck on Campus
If you see a 1984 Ford F-150 driving around Georgia’s campus, that’s just the team’s starting quarterback.
“It was literally broke down, parked up at their house and wouldn’t crank,” his father, Rob, told the Athens Banner-Herald in a story published on Friday, December 27. “He wanted to get it running, so me and him tinkered with it.”
According to the outlet, Rob helps run an automotive dealership that’s been in the family since 1956.
The truck has no air conditioning and more than 300,000 miles on the odometer.
“I would say he’s going to continue driving that old truck no matter what kind of opportunities knock for him,” Rob said.
