UGA Football QB Gunner Stockton Headlines Bulldog Attendees At SEC Media Days

As the SEC Media Days approach, the spotlight is already beginning to intensify around one of college football’s most closely watched programs — the Georgia Bulldogs. This year, all eyes will be on quarterback Gunner Stockton, who has been officially announced as the headlining Georgia representative at the 2025 SEC Media Days, scheduled to take place in Dallas, Texas.

Stockton will be joined by standout defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse and senior offensive lineman Xavier Truss, rounding out a trio that encapsulates the Bulldogs’ emphasis on leadership, experience, and championship expectations heading into the 2025 season.

After patiently waiting his turn behind former starters Stetson Bennett IV, Carson Beck, and Brock Vandagriff, redshirt junior Gunner Stockton is now firmly in command of Georgia’s offense — and with it, the expectations that come with being the starting quarterback of a program that has won two national titles and three SEC crowns since 2021.

A former four-star recruit out of Rabun County, Georgia, Stockton is widely respected inside the locker room for his patience, preparation, and competitive fire. After playing sparingly in 2023 and 2024, he emerged as the clear leader during spring camp, earning the trust of both offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and head coach Kirby Smart.

“Gunner’s leadership and command have been off the charts,” said Smart. “He understands the standard. He’s lived it. And now it’s his turn.”

SEC Media Days will mark Stockton’s first major public appearance as Georgia’s QB1 — and the moment will not be lost on Bulldog Nation, which is eager to hear from the man now tasked with leading one of the most talented offenses in the country.

Gunner Stockton combines the mobility of a dual-threat QB with the arm talent and poise of a traditional pocket passer. During spring scrimmages, he impressed coaches with his quick decision-making, deep ball accuracy, and toughness under pressure.

While his sample size in live games has been limited, insiders point to his football IQ, experience in Bobo’s system, and relentless work ethic as key reasons why he’s ready for the spotlight.

“He’s been through the fire in practice,” said senior center Sedrick Van Pran. “He’s earned every rep.”

The Bulldogs are expected to field one of the SEC’s most explosive offenses this fall, returning playmakers like tight end Oscar Delp, receiver Dillon Bell, and a healthy stable of running backs. With Stockton at the helm, Georgia fans hope the offense can return to the balanced, lethal form that brought them a national title in 2022.

While Stockton may be the headline name, he’s joined in Dallas by two veteran leaders who have played crucial roles in Georgia’s sustained success.

Nazir Stackhouse, a fifth-year senior, is one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in the country. Known for his strength, motor, and ability to eat up double teams, Stackhouse has been a constant presence in the trenches since 2021. With the NFL Draft looming next spring, he’s expected to be a Day 1 or Day 2 selection, depending on his final season.

“Naz has grown into a true leader,” said defensive line coach Tray Scott. “He’s the kind of guy you want representing your program.”

Xavier Truss, meanwhile, returns as one of Georgia’s most experienced offensive linemen. At 6’7″, 330 pounds, the versatile lineman has played both guard and tackle during his career, offering crucial flexibility and stability in the Bulldogs’ front five. Truss is a vocal leader in the locker room and has been praised by coaches for mentoring younger linemen.

“Xavier is all about the team,” said Smart. “He’s physical, reliable, and embodies what Georgia football is all about.”

For the Bulldogs, SEC Media Days is more than just a press tour — it’s a signal that the season has officially begun. Every year, the event serves as the unofficial kickoff to college football in the South, and no program draws more media interest right now than Georgia.

With Alabama transitioning to the Kalen DeBoer era and LSU and Ole Miss nipping at the Bulldogs’ heels, Georgia’s presence in Dallas will set the tone for how the national media and fans perceive the balance of power in the SEC heading into 2025.

“This is a business trip,” said Smart. “We’re there to represent our program and our university. But we’re also there to show that Georgia is still hungry.”

While Smart and his staff have retooled in some areas — including welcoming new faces on defense and special teams — the expectations remain the same: win the SEC, make the Playoff, and contend for the national championship.

Stockton’s performance will be critical. His growth and ability to execute at a high level will dictate just how high Georgia’s ceiling is in 2025. SEC Media Days will offer fans a glimpse into his mindset and leadership style.

Smart, who has been at the helm since 2016, is the longest-tenured coach in the SEC now that Saban has retired. He has turned Georgia into the model of consistency and dominance in the modern era, going 94–16 since taking over and routinely finishing in the top five in recruiting and postseason rankings.

Georgia’s appearance in Dallas is also being closely watched by national analysts, especially as the 12-team College Football Playoff makes its debut this fall. The expanded format could benefit teams like Georgia, who often run through a brutal SEC schedule and enter the postseason battle-tested.

“If you’re building a playoff bracket, Georgia is penciled in almost automatically,” said ESPN’s Greg McElroy. “The real question is: can they get back to being No. 1?”

The Bulldogs will open the season against Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game — a matchup with huge playoff implications right out of the gate. How Stockton prepares and leads in the buildup to that game could set the tone for Georgia’s entire season.

Stockton, Stackhouse, and Truss will face a full day of media responsibilities, including:

• One-on-one interviews with national TV networks (ESPN, SEC Network)
• A podium Q&A session with reporters
• Radio Row appearances
• Fan engagement through social media and on-site events

The trio is expected to answer questions ranging from on-field goals to off-field leadership, NIL, team chemistry, and their personal stories of growth and perseverance.

Smart, known for his calculated yet fiery demeanor, will use the moment to reiterate Georgia’s priorities: discipline, accountability, and team-first mentality.

“We’re not rebuilding. We’re reloading,” Smart said during spring practice. “That’s the standard here.”

For Gunner Stockton, the SEC Media Days represent more than just microphones and bright lights. They are the symbolic beginning of a new chapter — one in which he becomes the face of Georgia football.

He follows in the footsteps of championship QBs like Jake Fromm, JT Daniels, and Stetson Bennett, each of whom dealt with sky-high expectations. But unlike some of his predecessors, Stockton enters the role with years of experience behind the scenes, having seen every rep, every drill, and every pressure moment up close.

“I’ve waited for this moment,” Stockton said after spring game. “Now it’s time to lead.”

With Smart, Stackhouse, and Truss by his side in Dallas, Stockton will take the stage as the next great Bulldog quarterback — and, perhaps, as the leader of Georgia’s next national title run.

The SEC stage is set. And Gunner Stockton is ready to take the mic.