No Fear of the Shadow: Gunner Stockton Boldly Embraces Stetson Bennett Comparisons as He Vows to Carve His Own Legendary Path at Georgia

Gunner Stockton understands the weight of the jersey he wears, the echoes of cheers from Sanford Stadium, and the legacy that lives in the huddle he now commands. As a Georgia Bulldogs quarterback, comparisons are inevitable—especially when the man who last led the Dawgs to national glory was an undersized, underrated, and unshakably confident quarterback named Stetson Bennett. Rather than shy away from the shadow cast by the back-to-back national champion, Stockton is meeting it head-on, using it as both inspiration and motivation. The redshirt sophomore has become a talking point in Georgia football circles not just because of his strong arm or his impressive high school résumé, but because of the way he carries himself when the lights are brightest. With fall camp approaching and a new season on the horizon, Gunner Stockton is no longer just the promising prospect waiting in the wings—he is a quarterback determined to seize the moment, honor the standard, and write a story that belongs entirely to him.

Stockton’s path to this point hasn’t been one paved with immediate stardom. After a legendary high school career at Rabun County, where he shattered Georgia state records with over 13,000 total yards and 177 touchdowns, Stockton arrived in Athens with a truckload of expectations. But like Bennett before him, Stockton had to bide his time. He sat behind Stetson, watched him silence doubters and deliver championships, and he learned. The comparisons are natural—both players are Georgia natives, both were once overlooked in favor of flashier recruits, and both possess a quiet confidence that resonates with teammates. Yet where some might bristle at being compared to a fan favorite, Stockton welcomes it. “Why wouldn’t I want to be compared to a guy who won it all—twice?” Stockton has said. “Stetson showed the world what belief, work, and preparation look like. That’s what I’m trying to do too.”

Still, Stockton knows he isn’t Stetson Bennett, and he doesn’t want to be. He isn’t trying to replicate every move Bennett made or copy the walk-on-to-winner storyline. Gunner Stockton has his own arm strength, his own mobility, and his own leadership style. He studies the playbook with intensity, often spending hours in the film room after scheduled practices are over. He asks questions, engages coaches, and huddles with receivers to perfect timing routes. When the opportunity to step up arrived—whether during practices, spring games, or emergency snaps—Stockton showcased a deep understanding of Georgia’s complex offense and a poise that defied his limited game experience. Coaches and players alike have noticed the shift in his demeanor. There is a sense of readiness that wasn’t there a year ago. And while Carson Beck remains the projected starter, Gunner Stockton is knocking on the door—not just for playing time, but for a place in Bulldog lore.

What separates Stockton from many other quarterbacks isn’t just skill—it’s conviction. His decision to come to Georgia, even knowing there was a logjam at quarterback, speaks volumes. He turned down offers from other top programs that might have offered faster paths to playing time. He believed in Georgia. He believed in Kirby Smart’s vision. And now, he believes in himself. That belief is showing up in scrimmages where he’s threading needles in tight coverage, evading pressure with calculated footwork, and commanding the offense like a seasoned vet. Coaches have praised his toughness and his work ethic. He’s become a fixture in the weight room, a leader in the locker room, and a name that fans are chanting again—not just because of what he did in high school, but because of what he’s poised to do in college.

Gunner Stockton’s story is also one of homegrown pride. Like Stetson Bennett, Stockton is a Georgia boy through and through. The Bulldogs aren’t just a program to him—they’re a passion, a lifelong dream, and a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. He grew up watching Georgia games, admiring the legends, and dreaming of the day he’d take that same field. Now, with every rep he takes in practice and every play he executes in spring scrimmages, Stockton is living that dream. But he’s not content with just being on the roster or wearing the uniform. He wants to lead. He wants to win. And he wants to do it his way.

What’s most striking about Stockton’s rise is how much of it mirrors the resilience that defined Stetson Bennett’s time in Athens. Bennett wasn’t the biggest, the fastest, or the most hyped, but he was always the most prepared. Stockton has adopted that same mentality. There’s no flash in his approach—just substance. He doesn’t spend time chasing headlines or trying to be a social media star. He’s focused on football, and his teammates see that. Wide receivers have spoken about his accuracy. Offensive linemen talk about his command. Coaches highlight his growth. It’s not just lip service—it’s recognition that Gunner Stockton is becoming more than just a talented backup. He’s becoming a quarterback this team can believe in.

There will be pressure. There will be critics. But those come with the territory when you’re at the University of Georgia, especially under Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs have gone from national title hopefuls to perennial favorites. The standard has changed, and Stockton knows it. That’s why he doesn’t flinch when asked about expectations. He doesn’t view them as burdens but as blessings. “You don’t come to Georgia to hide from pressure,” he said in an offseason interview. “You come here because you want the biggest moments. You want to compete for championships. You want to be great.” Those words sound eerily familiar to what Bennett once said during his unexpected rise. And maybe that’s why fans can’t help but draw the parallels.

Still, Gunner Stockton’s journey will be defined not by who he resembles, but by how he responds. Will he step up when his number is called? Will he deliver when the Bulldogs need a spark? The answers are beginning to take shape. And if recent practices and the spring game were any indication, the answer could be a resounding yes. Stockton dazzled in the annual G-Day scrimmage, showing off a strong arm and sharp decision-making. He looked comfortable in the pocket and lethal when rolling out. More importantly, he looked like a leader. That’s what Georgia needs. That’s what championship teams demand. And that’s what Stockton is determined to be.

In a college football landscape where players often transfer at the first sign of competition, Stockton’s patience stands out. He didn’t run from the challenge. He embraced it. He studied behind the scenes, learned from veterans, and built trust with teammates. Now, as his moment approaches, he’s ready to make the most of it. The noise will only grow louder—comparisons to Bennett, questions about depth charts, speculation about playing time. But through it all, Stockton remains grounded. He leans on family, faith, and the values that shaped him long before he stepped foot in Athens. He’s not chasing anyone else’s legacy. He’s building his own.

There’s something undeniably poetic about Gunner Stockton emerging in the post-Bennett era. A Georgia native, once doubted, now standing on the edge of opportunity. He doesn’t need to replicate Bennett’s magic to become a Bulldog legend. He just needs to be himself—relentless, prepared, and unshakably confident. The tools are there. The belief is growing. And the stage is set. Whether it’s this season or next, Gunner Stockton’s time is coming. And when it does, the comparisons may no longer matter—because the story Stockton writes might be one worth remembering all on its own.

For now, he trains in silence, studies in solitude, and competes with fire. He smiles when asked about the Bennett shadow not because he feels threatened by it, but because he understands it. He understands what it represents. Winning. Belief. Grit. And maybe, just maybe, Stockton is the next to carry that torch—not as a copy of the past, but as a new chapter in Georgia’s storied quarterback tradition. No fear of the shadow. Just a man ready to step into the light.