College football expert and former Georgia Bulldogs defensive end David Pollack thinks that projected UGA starting quarterback Gunner Stockton will have a better year in 2025 than former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck had in 2024.
“I think Gunner Stockton will have a better year this year than Carson Beck had last year,” said Pollack.
Stockton helped Georgia win the 2024 SEC championship against the Texas Longhorns. He played solid in his first career start, which was Georgia’s Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame.
So how well did Carson Beck perform in 2024? Beck went 11-2 in 13 starts and threw for 3,485 passing yards. He threw 28 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions (most of which came during a rough stretch during the middle of the season). Pollack acknowledges that Georgia’s receivers struggled with drops, but Beck’s interceptions can’t be ignored. Still, Beck finished the with No. 8 quarterback rating (QBR) in the nation at 80.9.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart would take a superior season from Stockton (when compared to Beck’s 2024 campaign) in a heartbeat. Stockton may not have as good of a supporting cast as Beck.
Georgia lost four of its five starting offensive linemen and running back Trevor Etienne to the 2025 NFL draft. Georgia should be improved at wide receiver and returns an elite tight end room.
The Bulldogs could have a bit of a defensive drop off in 2025. The Dawgs are losing three likely first-round picks to the 2025 NFL draft in linebacker Jalon Walker, safety Malaki Starks and defensive end Mykel Williams.
“I don’t know that I’ve met a more humble kid,” added Pollack regarding Stockton. “He is an easy kid to cheer for.”
