In college football, the quarterback position often becomes the focal point of discussions, especially for a program with the lofty expectations of the Georgia Bulldogs. With Carson Beck’s decision to transfer to Miami for the 2025 season, the spotlight has shifted to Gunnar Stockton as he steps into the starting role.
Beck led Georgia to a 13-1 record in 2023 and an SEC championship in 2024 despite a rocky season, leaving behind big shoes to fill. However, as On3 analyst J.D. PicKell points out in his latest podcast, the conversation around Stockton is often too narrow, focusing solely on whether he can single-handedly lead Georgia to a national championship.
Beyond the Quarterback: Georgia’s Championship Formula
PicKell argues that this perspective is incomplete, as Georgia’s success depends on many factors beyond just the quarterback.
Stockton, a redshirt junior from Tiger, Georgia, has been with the Bulldogs since 2022. He was a highly touted recruit out of Rabun County High School, where he broke state records for career touchdown passes and total yardage.
Despite his talent, he has had limited playing time, serving as a backup to Beck. His most significant action came in the 2024 SEC Championship game and the Sugar Bowl, where he showed flashes of potential but also areas for improvement.
Pickell emphasizes that fans and analysts often oversimplify Georgia’s championship aspirations by tying them directly to the quarterback’s performance.
“I think the conversations become a little bit warped around him because the easy math that people do… is well Georgia they expect to play for a national championship right… so then we sort of push ourselves maybe unknowingly at times into this question of hey is Gunnar Stockton good enough to take Georgia there,” PicKell stated.
While this question holds some merit, PicKell contends it misses the bigger picture. Beck wasn’t the sole reason Georgia fell short of a national title last year; the team’s struggles stemmed from broader execution issues, particularly in the run game.
In Georgia’s national championship seasons of 2021 and 2022, the Bulldogs averaged around 200 yards per game on the ground; they posted 199.3 yards per game in 2021 and 199.6 in 2022. In contrast, the 2024 season saw a sharp decline to 139.7 yards per game, a drop-off that underscores a deviation from their winning formula.
The above statistic reveals that Beck, who still delivered standout performances like throwing for five touchdowns against Georgia Tech, wasn’t the primary limiter. Georgia’s identity has long been rooted in a punishing run game, a stout defense, and efficient quarterback play.
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Looking ahead to 2025, Georgia aims to recapture that formula. The return of experienced offensive linemen and the addition of talented running backs through recruiting and the transfer portal signal a renewed emphasis on ground production.
A revitalized run game could ease the burden on Stockton, allowing him to operate within a balanced offense rather than shouldering the load alone. Success will hinge on the team’s ability to execute this holistic approach, not just on the quarterback’s output.
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