Entering his second season as Georgia’s starting quarterback, Gunner Stockton made it clear at SEC Media Days that he has complete confidence in offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. He also said he’s energized by the team’s offseason progress and his own development heading into the 2026 season.
Stockton didn’t hesitate when asked about the criticism Bobo receives from fans online. He said the outside noise overlooks the daily commitment he sees behind the scenes.
“I truly don’t think anybody understands how hard he works,” Stockton said of Bobo. “I think he’s the best play caller in the country.”
He added that Bobo consistently gets the most out of the Bulldog offense and fans don’t see the hours the longtime assistant pours into weekly preparation.
“He barely sleeps during the game week,” Stockton said. “They don’t see all the work he puts in, the love he has for the university, the love he has for all my teammates and me.”
Stockton also considered Georgia’s offseason after its SEC Championship run, a campaign that fell short of the main goal of winning a national title. He mentioned the disappointment motivated one of the most successful summers for the team under Kirby Smart.
“Last year definitely didn’t end up the way we wanted it,” Stockton said. “But we had a great offseason so far. We put a lot of sweat in the bucket, and we’ve connected a lot.”
With fall camp approaching, Stockton said the team’s chemistry and excitement have only continued to build.
He emphasized that one of his main goals is to get his body ready for the demanding SEC season. Stockton said he’s been consulting a nutritionist and utilizing Dexa Body scans to reduce his body fat while increasing his weight, reaching about 217 pounds after previously dropping to around 207 last season.
Beyond adding muscle, Stockton said he has emphasized recovery, flexibility, and spending extra time in the training room to ensure he’s physically ready for the demands of the year.
He also praised transfer cornerback Gentry Williams, saying the former Oklahoma standout quickly earned respect inside the UGA locker room.
“He’s a great player, obviously,
but even a better person,” Stockton said. “Just seeing all the work he puts in has been awesome.”
Earlier this summer, Stockton attended the Manning Passing Academy, where he learned from Archie, Peyton, Eli, and Cooper Manning while working alongside more than 40 high-end quarterbacks from across the country.
He said exchanging experiences with other players was one of the highlights of the event, noting he roomed with Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed.
Despite being asked about future Georgia-Florida games in Atlanta and Tampa, Stockton kept his focus on the present, saying his attention remains on preparing for fall camp rather than looking months ahead.
He also smiled when asked whether running through the tunnel at Sanford Stadium still gives him goosebumps.
“Absolutely,” Stockton said. “You see red and black; it definitely gets you chill bumps.”
For the Georgia native, wearing the red and black remains a childhood dream realized.
“It’s neat growing up in Georgia, being a Georgia boy, getting to play at the University of Georgia,” Stockton said.
Stockton took the same approach when asked about the SEC’s recent national championship drought and whether Georgia feels pressure to restore the conference to the top of college football.
Rather than focusing on outside expectations, he said the Bulldogs remain committed to the standard that has defined the program under Smart.
“I know Georgia; we do our job,” Stockton said. “At Georgia, we just work. I think that’s what Coach Smart’s done a great job of, and what we believe in. We’ve had a good summer so far. You can’t worry about that too much. Just gotta do our job and have fun while we do it.”
