LATEST: Bulldogs’ key man is back with squad and ready ahead of weekend.

Quarterback Gunner Stockton spent his first two years at Georgia learning the ins and outs of the Bulldogs’ offense and what’s expected at his position. Stockton did his part to make the most of his time, and he’ll get a chance to show his progress on Saturday.

Stockton will get the most work of his Georgia career on Saturday when he leads the second-team offense during the annual spring game. The G-Day workload will be a chance for Stockton to put his growth on display — growth that his head coach saw in the first few weeks of spring ball.

“Gunner has done a good job. I’ve seen growth in Gunner,” Kirby Smart said last Tuesday. “I thought he had a couple of mistakes in the [first] scrimmage, but he also played with much more consistency. I’ve seen this progression with Gunner that, like, he’s getting better each and every practice.”

Stockton’s first two seasons at Georgia can be described as a young quarterback biding his time behind veterans.

Stockton did not see the field as a true freshman in 2022 but drew considerable praise for his work as a scout team quarterback, specifically when he asked to remove his non-contact jersey when impersonating CJ Stroud for the Peach Bowl. He got more work last season as a redshirt freshman and ended the year having played in four games and thrown for 148 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also rushed 11 times for 63 yards.

Stockton ended his redshirt freshman season with his most workload as a Bulldog. Stockton served as Georgia’s second-string quarterback in the Orange Bowl and made the most of it. By the night’s end, Stockton was 6-of-10 passing for 96 yards with 2 touchdowns and also rushed 7 times for 46 yards.

Smart pointed out last week that the Orange Bowl practices were great for Stockton and that getting in against Florida State was valuable as well. Smart pointed out that Stockton has taken strides, though he made it clear he still has room for improvement.

“He’s gotten better. He’s getting a feel for our system. He’s a really good athlete,” Smart said. “He has, every now and then, a mistake you can’t have at that position. The good thing is you can ask him after the play, and I always ask him, What did you see? What was the coverage?’ He gives the right answer, so he’s seeing the right things. But he’s got to continue to develop and grow. That’s a hard position to play. He’s still trying to master that position.”

One of Stockton’s teammates who knows him well is punter Brett Thorson, who initially lived across the hall from Stockton before the two along with safety Dan Jackson became roommates. Thorson credited Stockton with being quiet and humble and said most of their teammates would pick Stockton if they had to choose someone to date their sister.

Thorson then made it sound like Stockton is making the most of his increased reps on the practice field.

“It’s been good seeing him get the reps with Brock [Vandagriff] transferring out,” Thorson said. “He’s been out there slinging it. He’s a good dude. I am sure you guys will get to know him a lot more in the future.”

Stockton should be a mainstay at G-Day after he completed 1 pass for 9 yards in the 2022 scrimmage before going 13-of-22 through the air for 144 yards with 1 interception the following year. Stockton is not competing for a starting spot this year, but his work on Saturday could go a long way as he looks to lock down the backup role and grow even more in 2024.