The Georgia Bulldogs are set to open spring practice for the 2025 season on March 11. As that happens, many speculate that Gunner Stockton will be the starting quarterback. However, Ryan Puglisi, an exceptionally talented redshirt freshman, will undoubtedly challenge Stockton in what both have been promised as a wide-open competition. For the sake of discussion, let’s assume Stockton earns the QB1 position. Georgia fans will be closely watching several key aspects of his performance.
1. A Shortened Throwing Motion
Entering his fourth season with the Georgia Bulldogs, Stockton faces a challenge with his throwing motion, which may be difficult to alter. Until recently, there was little need to modify it, but his extended playing time at the end of this season—due to Carson Beck‘s injury—highlighted its drawbacks. Stockton takes too long to release the football, a significant disadvantage in the SEC, where tight throwing windows and rapid pass rushes demand a quick release. His delivery involves dropping the ball low, making him vulnerable to strip sacks. While changing this habit is tough, intentional offseason practice could help streamline his delivery process. Improved pocket presence would also mitigate this issue.
2. Chemistry with the New Wide Receivers
Georgia bolstered its receiver corps with size and explosiveness through the transfer portal. Now, Stockton must build rapport with these newcomers. Mastering the subtleties—such as how receivers run specific routes, their speed out of breaks, and their ability to adjust to coverages on the fly—is essential for a quarterback to sync with his targets. Stockton will need to connect with 6’6″ X-Receiver Noah Thomas and the dynamic slot receiver Zechariah Branch, both of whom are expected to play major roles in Georgia’s offensive game plan this season. While he’s familiar with most of the returning receivers and tight ends after at least a year together, these transfers are new variables. Fans will be eager to see how well Stockton bonds with Thomas and Branch during spring practices.
3. Consistency on the Deep Ball
In games against Texas and Notre Dame, Stockton demonstrated his ability to stretch the field with his arm, but his accuracy on deep passes has been inconsistent across his Georgia tenure. In the SEC and playoff scenarios, hitting open targets—akin to making layups—is critical. This spring, it will be fascinating to watch whether the fourth-year quarterback can exploit Georgia’s youthful secondary and connect with his skilled receivers on deep shot plays. Stockton’s arm strength isn’t the issue; it’s about precision. Like a major league relief pitcher who dials back from 99 mph to 95-96 mph for better control, Stockton needs to prioritize ball placement. The goal is to give receivers a fair shot at the catch—making it a matter of completion or incompletion—without risking an interception.
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Photo: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire
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