Image via 247Sports.com
Georgia’s 2022 recruiting class got a big boost on Thursday with 5-star quarterback Gunner Stockton committing to the Bulldogs.
The Tiger native, from Georgia, is classified as the best defender in the 2022 class, the 4th player from Georgia and the 38th in the country in general, for 247 sports.
Georgia will bring on board a player just out of a brilliant junior season. Stockton shot for 3,128 yards, 45 touchdowns and four interceptions, adding up to 1,581 yards and 26 scores on the ground. Players who cause this level of impact as both a passer and a runner are rare.
Brooks Austin from SI.com noted that Stockton has “one of the most explosive weapons in the country as just a junior in high school and can make any move in the book. He improvises well when he is forced out of his pocket and can play from any platform. “
Barton Simmons of 247Sports added that the young defender is “cuncomfortable making closed window look like pitching with speed “and is in” vearly stages of a potential NFL customer, but significant experience and development are still required. “
Stockton had initially committed to South Carolina in August, but changed his tone on January 12:
Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports reported that he had committed to former South Carolina coach Will Muschamp and ex-offensive coordinator Mike Bobo in August. But Muschamp was fired in November and Bobo got a job as Auburn’s offensive coordinator.
Connor Shaw, who Stockton specifically referred to in his commitment announcement, is from South Carolina dplayer development sector. In August, Stockton said Shaw was his “model to continue growing. “
Georgia will be thrilled that Stockton chose to leave his model behind to sign with the Bulldogs. He has all the qualities of a potential superstar at the university level.