Jordan Rodgers declares Gunner Stockton has 'it factor,' gives Georgia QB advice vs. Alabama

Coming into the 2025 college football season, Georgia junior quarterback Gunner Stockton remained a relative unknown, especially nationally. Little was really known about the former four-star recruit out of tiny Rabun County in Northeast Ga., where much of the infamous 1970s movie “Deliverance” was filmed.

Now, four games into the regular season, Stockton has quickly established himself as a tough-as-nails throwback player that many are comparing to the Bulldogs’ only back-to-back national championship-winning quarterback: Stetson Bennett IV. Those are certainly some big shoes to fill.

But based on what SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers has seen on film, especially in Georgia’s 44-41 overtime win at Tennessee two weeks ago, Stockton has proven he’s got the proverbial “it” factor.

“I see a quarterback in Gunner Stockton that has – the ‘it factor’ is thrown around so casually that no one really knows what it means – but he has ‘it,’” Rodgers said Friday during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show. “There’s just something to him. The stat column won’t blow you away, but when they need a big play, he’s made it, whether it’s with his legs or his arm.”

Jordan Rodgers gives Georgia QB Gunner Stockton sage advice vs. No. 17 Alabama

Through three games, Stockton has 721 passing yards and four touchdowns to zero interceptions while also adding 124 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. But whenever Georgia needs a play made, Stockton has regularly taken it upon himself to get it done. Whether it’s scrambling for a first down, or the 28-yard touchdown to London Humphreys on a do-or-die fourth down late to force overtime at Tennessee with the two-point conversion to Zachariah Branch, Stockton has gotten it done.

Ahead of Saturday’s Top 20 showdown vs. No. 17 Alabama (2-1, 0-0 SEC), Rodgers revealed what he’d tell the Bulldogs’ QB1 if he were Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.

“I think they should be confident in how they can run the football and manufacture yards off play-action, in the run game, to the tight ends, to Zachariah Branch by getting the ball out quick. So, if I’m Mike Bobo talking to Gunner, I’m saying, ‘don’t force it,'” Rodgers added. “If it’s muddy, if it looks great, take off and run. Because the only way we’re losing this game is if you turn the football over multiple times. That would be my message, because I think (Stockton) is playing really well. I think the scheme fits well against the weakness of Bama right now. Turnovers would be the difference-maker if you’re Gunner.”