Gunner Stockton is one of the top college football quarterbacks in the nation, leading a team in Georgia that just won the SEC. He is entering his second season as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback, and expectations are already quite high.
Former Florida Star Applauds Gunner Stockton’s Return to Georgia in 2026
Stockton reportedly inked a new NIL agreement with Georgia to return for the 2026 season, which surfaced after the transfer portal had closed. He preferred his coaching staff focus on other players before negotiating with him, but there has been little buzz surrounding his return to Georgia.
In an appearance on Dawg Nation’s “On The Beat” podcast on Tuesday, former Florida wide receiver Chris Doering spoke on Stockton’s decision to come back to Georgia and credited a member of the Bulldogs’ staff.
“It’s kind of gone under the radar a little bit,” Doering said. “In Gunner Stockton coming back, I don’t know if it was more of a foregone conclusion that everybody was just assuming he was going to be back, or if they didn’t worry about it. I thought he did a great job. I thought Mike Bobo did a great job.
“As much criticism as he gets from his own fan base to see him being recognized and to, you know, get the credit that he deserves, not only in what he does as an offensive play caller, but also in developing quarterbacks and Gunner Stockton specifically.
Certainly, Gunner Stockton will be largely forgotten about. But he’s a solid quarterback that can give you the dual threat capability that I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for how tough he is, and how good he is in terms of using his legs, the play calling in the quarterback run game, what that does to affect an opposing defense.”
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Bobo remains under contract through the 2026 season after signing a one-year extension ahead of the 2024 campaign that included pay raises. His salary in 2025 was $1.5 million, and it will be $1.6 million in 2026, totaling $3.1 million over the two years.
As for Stockton, many questioned him as Carson Beck’s successor, but he validated his talent by finishing inside the top 10 of Heisman voting last season. He led Georgia to a 12-2 record and an SEC championship, placing No. 3 among SEC quarterbacks in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric with an 88.0 grade.
Bobo shared high praise for Stockton at the Broyles Award ceremony:
“Gunner is who he is because he’s (got) an unbelievable family, how he works, his toughness, he’s selfless, he’s humble. He’s a joy to coach.”
Bobo’s description of Stockton as “selfless” holds weight, as the Georgia quarterback reportedly had the opportunity to earn millions this season.
He didn’t demand a hefty payday; instead asked Georgia to compensate him less so the program could allocate more resources toward strengthening the roster around him. He is also said to have declined substantially larger financial offers to remain in Kirby Smart’s program.
