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Colbie Young expresses confidence in Gunner Stockton, explosiveness of Georgia pass game

On3 imageby: Jake Rowe09/08/25JakeMRowe
Gunner Stockton Georgia
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) during Georgia’s game against Austin Peay on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

ATHENS, Ga. — Gunner Stockton is a hot topic of discussion in Georgia circles after the Bulldogs’ unimpressive win over Austin Peay on Saturday. UGA never really had any cause for concern, but thanks to two turnovers, a failed opportunity at the goal line at the end of the half, and a second-quarter lull, it only won 28-6.

Stockton was also shaky, often hesitating to throw guys open and deciding instead to check the football down to a shorter pattern or take off running. Bulldog fans want to see him push the ball downfield. Senior wideout Colbie Young, in his first meeting with the media since transferring to Georgia, says it’s coming.

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

By most accounts, Stockton is coming off his best preseason as a Bulldog. The offense got the better of the defense in the second scrimmage and for two of the three true preseason weeks. With that said, Georgia has lacked explosiveness in the passing game over the first two weeks of the season.

In Saturday’s win, UGA didn’t have a pass that gained more than 19 yards. Stockton attempted just three passes beyond 10 yards, completing one of them. Young and Kirby Smart both told reporters on Monday that a lot of that is due to how teams have chosen to defend Georgia. For the most part, Marshall and Austin Peay have played way off of the Bulldog receivers, allowing easy-access throws just behind or within five yards of the line of scrimmage.

Stockton took advantage of those opportunities in week two, completing 25 of 28 passes under 10 yards for a little over 7.5 yards per attempt. Still, the lack of explosiveness has forced Georgia to sustain drives in order to score. That’s something it has been successful at way more often than not thus far, but that success has come against two opponents with a lot less talent and, against Austin Peay, the Bulldogs made enough mistakes with fumbles and lost-yardage plays to lose scoring opportunities.

Young reminded everyone on Monday that it’s still early in 2025. As Georgia works through injury and pass protection issues along the offensive line and Stockton continues to develop an in-game rapport with a largely new receiving corps, Young is confident that the best is yet to come.

“It’s going to come eventually,” Young said. “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.”

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