Paul Finebaum heightens concerns about Gunner Stockton as Georgia's starting QB

Gunner Stockton worries Paul Finebaum as Georgia progresses through the season. The ESPN personality cited the QB maybe not being ready for the moment, especially when it comes to their matchup against Alabama at the end of September.

Stockton struggled in his limited time last year, taking over for an injured Carson Beck. However, he’s had a full offseason to get up to speed, plus the Bulldogs made the move to add WR Zachariah Branch in the transfer portal.

Finebaum didn’t put it all on Stockton, but Georgia will only go as far as he can take them. The start of the season is imperative.

“It is Gunner Stockton at Georgia, and there has been a big narrative after he took over for Carson Beck late last year,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter. “He was not spectacular when he played against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, but some of that was his coaching on the sideline, but I’m just worried about him at this moment. He is well loved by his teammates, that’s what I hear from the team. But can he handle the moment? He won’t have one for a few weeks, but he will see Alabama at the end of September, and Alabama seems to have Georgia’s number lately.”

The Tiger, GA native boasts 588 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in nine career games. Head coach Kirby Smart recently spoke about the decision to name Stockton his starting quarterback.

“Good decisions, good decisions,” Smart said when asked about their expectations for Stockton. “Make good decisions. Continue to develop and understanding situational football. We’ve made football so complicated that some quarterbacks don’t even know the down and distance. I don’t think they actually know ‘do I have another down after this play?’ or ‘Is this my last chance to get the first down?’ It’s just little things.

“Being the quarterback and understanding the game. Understanding what the defense is doing. He’s grown so much when it comes to that. ID and protections. ID and run game. Playing quarterback is like being a computer… it’s got a million things going on at once. He’s gotten better and better at handling those things and that’s what I want to see him do when he gets the opportunity.”

Georgia opens the season with Stockton under center next week. The Bulldogs host Marshall on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.