Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton might be the most underestimated signal-caller in college football heading into the 2025 season. Once a highly touted high school recruit, Stockton saw his reputation take a hit after just one start last year—a performance that was slightly below average and enough for many fans and media members to write him off entirely.
But not everyone has lost faith. One notable believer is none other than former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
“I’ve known Gunner Stockton since he was eight years old, and we recruited him to Alabama…”
Nick Saban Still Believes in Gunner Stockton
It’s worth noting that Nick Saban didn’t deliver a full-blown endorsement of Gunner Stockton heading into the 2025 season—but he also didn’t join the chorus of voices counting the Georgia quarterback out.
Most of the college football media wrote Stockton off after his lone start last year, a College Football Playoff loss to Notre Dame. But the truth is, his performance wasn’t nearly as poor as the narrative suggests. In that game, Stockton completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Georgia ultimately fell 23-10, and while the loss looms large in the public’s memory, Stockton’s numbers were solid—especially for the first start of his career.
Saban reminded everyone that Alabama had recruited Stockton out of high school, and in fact, he’d been aware of the young quarterback since he was just eight years old.
When one of the greatest minds in the history of college football still sees potential in a player, it’s worth listening. So while many in the media may be shocked if Stockton delivers a big season in 2025, they shouldn’t be. Nick Saban has already signaled that the junior could be the real deal.
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