Athens, GA – In a shocking turn of events that has stunned Georgia Bulldogs fans and rattled the college football world, backup quarterback Gunner Stockton finds himself at the center of a growing off-field controversy that now threatens not only his playing time but potentially his entire future with the program.
According to multiple sources close to the university, Stockton was allegedly involved in an off-campus incident late Friday night that quickly escalated and drew the attention of both campus police and athletic department officials. While exact details remain under wraps due to the ongoing investigation, early reports suggest the incident involved a heated altercation at a local Athens venue, with some eyewitnesses claiming the quarterback became “verbally aggressive” following a dispute.
The University of Georgia has not yet issued a formal statement, but head coach Kirby Smart briefly addressed the matter during a press appearance Saturday morning, offering a noticeably tense and measured response.
> “We’re aware of the situation involving Gunner [Stockton] and we’re in the process of gathering all the facts,” Smart said. “At this point, we’re handling it internally, and we’ll take appropriate action once we have more information.”
Sources inside the program say the coaching staff was “blindsided” by the news and are now scrambling to assess the potential fallout, especially with the spring game looming and Stockton expected to compete heavily for the QB2 role behind starter Carson Beck. The highly-touted redshirt sophomore had shown promise in practices and scrimmages, drawing praise from coaches for his arm strength, work ethic, and leadership potential.
Now, all of that is in question.
One anonymous team staffer described the mood in the locker room as “tense and disappointed,” adding, “This was a guy everyone liked. Nobody saw this coming. We’re all just hoping it’s not as bad as it sounds.”
Stockton, a former four-star recruit out of Rabun County, was once considered the possible future face of Georgia football, should Beck depart for the NFL. This incident, however, could derail that trajectory completely. If the reports are confirmed and discipline is handed down, it could open the door for other quarterbacks on the depth chart, such as Ryan Puglisi or incoming freshman Dylan Raiola, to leapfrog him in the pecking order.
Social media has exploded with speculation, with fans and analysts alike voicing concern about the program’s ability to keep its young talent focused off the field. Some have even drawn comparisons to past incidents involving Georgia players that raised questions about discipline and accountability within the locker room.
At this stage, Stockton has not been charged with any crime, and details remain limited. However, sources expect the university to release a more comprehensive statement within the next 48 hours, pending the results of the internal review.
Until then, the future of Gunner Stockton — once a rising star in the SEC — hangs precariously in the balance, as a proud program faces yet another unexpected test of its
culture and leadership.
