Kirby Smart quickly silences any doubt about Georgia Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is never shy about using criticism as fuel, and one of his latest sources of motivation is longtime SEC analyst Paul Finebaum. Today, Smart confronted Finebaum directly, calling him out for comments made during a recent segment on ESPN with Matt Barrie. Finebaum had expressed skepticism about Georgia’s quarterback […]
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is never shy about using criticism as fuel, and one of his latest sources of motivation is longtime SEC analyst Paul Finebaum.
Today, Smart confronted Finebaum directly, calling him out for comments made during a recent segment on ESPN with Matt Barrie.
Finebaum had expressed skepticism about Georgia’s quarterback situation, pointing to Gunner Stockton’s underwhelming performance against the Fighting Irish as a major concern heading into the season.
“I know the team coalesced around him after the SEC Championship Game,” Finebaum said. “But I was underwhelmed by what I saw from Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. Kirby Smart has been steadfast in his support. He really doesn’t have another option until next year when the top recruit in the country comes in. So I’m not happy with what I see [with Georgia].”
Finebaum admitted to coach Smart that he hoped he wasn't tuning in during the busy offseason, but that wasn't the case.
“I’m excited. Gunner got the message, man,” Smart said. “He got the message. You did your job.”
“I love question marks,” Smart added. “I love when you, when you have question marks, right? You provide a lot of motivation for us, boss. It’s why I keep coming back to your show because you give me great question marks.”
Stockton, projected to be Georgia’s starting quarterback in 2025, has only one collegiate start to his name. It came in the College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, where he completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards, throwing one touchdown and no interceptions in the Bulldogs’ 23-10 loss to the Fighting Irish.
That lone performance has many wondering what he will bring this upcoming fall, but it's critics like Finebaum who should drive him to exceed his limits.
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