Gunner Stockton just played the game of his life on Saturday. Stockton helped lead Georgia to victory over Ole Miss on Saturday thanks to a very efficient five touchdown performance.
It goes without saying how important Stockton was as an individual player, but his impact was felt far beyond the stats he accumulated against the Rebels. And it all has to do with how he makes everyone around him play harder, as Kirby Smart explained during his postgame press conference.
"Oh, yeah, absolutely. The offensive line? I mean, they see it. They see how that kid plays. They want to play for him. They want to compete for him," Smart said via 247sports.com. "The backs, too, the receivers, they love Gunner. I mean, Gunner's the most lovable guy because he never crosses anybody. He's just Mr. Positive and, 'yes, sir, coach. Yes, sir, coach.' You can't get him to say anything."
Kirby Smart discussed Gunner Stockton’s greatest impact at Georgia
Smart explained in the above statement how much everyone loves playing with Stockton. The selflessness Stockton shows and the way he plays is infectious, and it helps make everyone around him play better.
This is something Georgia did not have last season. The Bulldogs were still a very good team in 2024, but they were missing a leader who cared just as much if not more about everyone else than he did his own personal success. If Georgia had that last season then who knows how much better they could have been, but Stockton brings the type of leadership Georgia needs to have an even better season this year.
Stockton and Georgia have five more games left this season, and unfortunately they still need some help just to make the SEC Championship game. But the Bulldogs are in a great position right now to accomplish all of their goals, and a lot of that is thanks to Stockton’s play on the field and his leadership qualities.