Georgia's new quarterback and team leader is Gunner Stockton. Not only did he lead the Bulldogs to a 45-7 pounding of Marshall on Saturday, but he outplayed overhyped Heisman hopefuls in Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State's Julian Sayin. Perhaps now is the time to start moving Stockton's name up the Heisman list.
Hitting 14 of 24 passes with two passing touchdowns, Stockton also added 73 yards rushing and two more touchdowns on the ground. He also avoided turning the ball which is big for any new quarterback. Compare those stats to Manning's stat line of 17 for 30, 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Sayin did slightly better in the Ohio State win over Texas, going 13 for 20 passing with 126 yards and one touchdown, but even his performance didn't compare to Stockton's
All of these quarterbacks were highly regarded coming out of high school, but Stockton hasn't received the high regard that the media gave Manning and Sayin all summer.
Underestimate Gunner Stockton at your peril
Georgia quarterbacks getting under-regarded brings to mind Stetson Bennett, and look what he did with that chip-on-the-shoulder fuel as he led Georgia to two National Championships. Stockton was barely in the top 20 of preseason Heisman hopefuls because no one believed he was "ready." His showing against Marshall more than proves he can play and he can lead Georgia to countless victories this season.
With his rocket arm or his juking and grooving with his legs in the run game, Stockton displayed his talent that has been there since he arrived on Georgia's campus. Perhaps Heisman voters need to get the stars out of their eyes from the Manning Road Show bright lights and start looking at proven success as the season unfolds.
The real test, of course, will be when Texas comes to play between in the hedges in November. Could it be an SEC-defining moment? Might it become the Heisman coming out scenario for Stockton in a crucial win late in the season? No prophecies here, but it's worth sticking around for, isn't it?