Who is shooter Stockton? 5 Things to Know About the Georgia Quarterback
Georgia’s quarterback Gunner Stockton has been waiting a lifetime for this moment.
After quarterback, Gunner was elevated to the role of starting quarterback for the University of Georgia Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury during the SEC Championship game against Texas on December 7. Beck underwent season-ending surgery and has since declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Born in Tiger, Georgia, about 75 miles from the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Gunner grew up a big fan of the Bulldogs. As the son of two collegiate athletes – his father, Rob, played football at Georgia Southern and his mother, Sherri, played basketball at Erskine College – he has athletics in his blood.
“The most important thing for Gunner is to know that our community, especially our family, his friends and the people closest to him, believe in him,” Rob told UGASports in a story published on Sunday, December 29. “We have always loved him and want the best for him. This is something he has worked for [and] something he dreamed of.”
Rob added, “You look at pictures of your kid, and they’re throwing the ball in your backyard and dreaming of being the starting quarterback at the University of Georgia. It happened. It’s surreal.”
Read on to learn more about Gunner’s story.
Shooter Stockton is named after his great-grandfather
Gunner’s great-grandfather, VD Stocktonserved in World War II. A newspaper at the time referred to him as “Gunner Stockton.”
According to The AthleticsGunner’s parents liked the nickname so much that they decided to give it to their son.
Gunner’s grandfather died after leaving a game in Georgia
In October 2010, Gunner’s grandfather, Lawrence Stocktondied shortly after leaving Georgia’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Florida Gators at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.
According to ESPNLawrence walked back to a tailgating area after the game, collapsed and died of a heart attack. He was 63 years old.
Shooter Stockton has a good relationship with his older sister
Gunner has a close bond with his eldest sister, Georgiahis only sibling.
The duo shared an adorable moment when Georgia was dropped off at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, in the summer of 2019.
“PC officially has a baller on campus,” Gunner said via Instagram. “I know it will be hard for you not seeing me every day, but hopefully it won’t be too hard for you 😂. You are the best. I love you more than you know❤️”
In 2021, Gunner and Georgia played a Bulldogs game from the sidelines of Sanford Stadium.
“A good way to end the week,” said Gunner via Instagram next to a photo of him and his sister.
Gunner, Georgia and the rest of their extended family spent the holidays together in 2024, just days before the Bulldogs’ game against Notre Dame in the 2025 Sugar Bowl, as seen in a series of photos shared by Georgia via Instagram.
Shooter Stockton Originally committed to South Carolina
Gunner originally committed to play quarterback for SEC rival South Carolina. However, he announced its dissolution in January 2021.
“After much discussion and prayer with my family, I have decided to discontinue my studies at the University of South Carolina,” Gunner said in a statement at the time. “In August I made the decision to commit to the university, the program and the staff. A lot has changed since then, and I feel I need to reassess my situation.”
Gunner’s decision followed shortly afterwards Will Muschampthe head coach Gunner had committed to was fired.
The quarterback announced his commitment to the University of Georgia later that month.
Shooter Stockton drives his grandfather’s old truck on campus
If you see a 1984 Ford F-150 driving around Georgia’s campus, that’s just the team’s starting quarterback.
“It was literally broken down, parked at their house and wouldn’t start,” says his father, Rob. told the Banner-Herald of Athens in a story published on Friday, December 27. “He wanted to get it running, so me and him tinkered with it.”
According to the outlet, Rob helps run a car dealership that has been in the family since 1956.
The truck has no air conditioning and has over 300,000 miles on the odometer.
“I’d say he’ll keep driving that old truck no matter what opportunities come his way,” Rob said.
