Often it was a defeat against the confident Stockton.

“He beat me every year in the rec league when we were little,” Starks said. “I met him twice in high school. But you know, he’s always been that guy. Ever since I grew up, he’s always been the guy who knows that. We will play against Rabun County. Oh damn, we have to play Gunner. That’s just how it is.”

Stockton has been thrust into the national spotlight ahead of Georgia’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. The fact that he was driving a 1984 Ford F-150 made big news on Friday.

But the people in and around the Georgia program are very familiar with what Stockton brings to the table. They weren’t surprised that Stockton was successful.

He has done this often in practice in recent years.

“Gunner, talk about the athleticism, the ability to move in the pocket, extend plays, he makes you defend the whole field and he makes you play honestly on defense,” defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann said. “You have to take him into account on every single play, and that opens up a lot of those plays. We’re talking about Riley Leonard, where he extends his plays and can throw the ball down the field. (Stockton) does that.”

Leonard will be Notre Dame’s starting quarterback for the big game.

Stockton not only brings extra drive or a rushing ability, but also calmness through belief.

There is a different aura not only around Stockton, but also within the Georgia team, with Stockton taking the lead.

“He’s one of those guys that can flip the switch,” outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss said. “Off the field he is completely different than on the field. At the end of the day, he is a competitor. When he was in high school, he was obviously one of the best to ever do it at Georgia. He has this fire under him.”

Stockton’s next start will be his first since a game against Thomasville High School in November 2021. He had recently broken Trevor Lawrence’s state record for touchdown passes. At that point, Georgia had yet to win a national title under Kirby Smart.

If the Bulldogs want to win again this season, Stockton will have to get them there. The people around Stockton know they will support him. The defense, led by Starks and Chambliss, needs to play better and the offense needs to perform.

But Stockton can’t just be a passenger either. He has his hands on the wheel and is ready to continue showing why those in the Georgia program have such strong belief in the third-year prospect.

“I think you saw it during the (SEC Championship Game) that a few people believed in him. I think he’s easy to follow,” Starks said. “But he also puts in a lot of work and wants to get better. He asks questions every day. You can see where he’s going with this. I think that’s something big that everyone loves to see about him.”