Colbie Young and Georgia lack no faith in Gunner Stockton

NCAA Football: Austin Peay at Georgia — Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass against the Austin Peay Governors in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Confidence was the word following Georgia’s 28-6 win over Austin Peay.

Starting quarterback Gunner Stockton first used the term post-game, stating that he needs to build confidence as a passer. Then head coach Kirby Smart talked about it, noting that he needs to see what Stockton does in practice translate in games.

But while Stockton is still building his confidence, his teammates don’t lack any in him.

“He’s explosive in practice. I’ve seen him make unbelievable next-level plays. He has an unbelievable arm,” senior receiver Colbie Young said of Stockton Monday. “I like to say he’s kind of like a Russell Wilson type, the way he puts the ball in the air and he just drops it in the bucket.”

So far through two games Stockton has yet to “drop it in the bucket” downfield yet. In fact, 72.4 percent of his passes have been either behind the line of scrimmage or just beyond it in the short game (0-9 yards).

However, that isn’t a reflection of Stockton’s inability to throw it downfield. Rather, much like Smart said post-game Saturday, it’s about what the defense was doing.

“But when we play defenses that are not allowing us to throw that, we’ve got to make sure you just don’t force it. We’ve got a great running game, and just stay confident in yourself,” Young said. “It’s going to come eventually. We’ve got a long season ahead, and we’re going to have a successful season throwing the ball. So just stay confident. It’s going to come.”

Those plays could very well come on Saturday in Georgia’s SEC opener at Tennessee. The Volunteer defense, which ranks second in the FBS in pass breakups with 14 through two games, will be without both of their starting cornerbacks, Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson, per ESPN‘s Pete Thamel.

“He’s just such a hard worker,” Young said of Stockton. “If he misses a throw, he’s like, ‘Dude, I’ve got to get this, so let’s do it again. Let’s do it again. Let’s do it again.’ He just wants to be perfect, and we always tell him nobody’s perfect in this world, Gunner. You’ll be all right. And he’s like, no, I’ve got to get it. I’ve got to do this again.”

Kickoff inside Neyland Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. EST. Georgia will look to make it nine straight wins over the Volunteers.