Coach DeBoer Shares Initial Thoughts on Georgia QB Gunner Stockton During Alabama’s Bye Week – Can the Tide Find an Answer in Athens?
The bye week is often a moment of reprieve in the college football season, a chance for teams to rest, reset, and refocus. But for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, this week is far less about relaxation and far more about preparation. The Crimson Tide, still smarting from an early-season setback against Florida State, now turn their attention to what might be their toughest road challenge of the year: a trip to Athens to face Georgia.
At the center of Alabama’s preparation is one name: Gunner Stockton. The Bulldogs’ quarterback, who has steadily risen from understudy to centerpiece, has caught the attention of DeBoer and his coaching staff. On Monday, during his bye-week press conference, DeBoer was asked directly about Stockton’s play. His response was respectful, measured, and filled with a hint of caution.
“He’s a competitor,” DeBoer said. “You can see it in the way he leads that offense. He’s decisive, he’s tough, and he’s not afraid to make the throw or use his legs when the pocket breaks down. Georgia’s always got talent, but Stockton brings a different edge. We’ll need to be disciplined against him.”
Stockton’s Emergence in Athens
For those who have followed Stockton’s development, his rise to Georgia’s starting quarterback role has been years in the making. The former four-star prospect out of Rabun County, Georgia, was once considered one of the most prolific high school quarterbacks in state history. At Georgia, he waited patiently behind Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck, learning the system and earning the trust of the Bulldogs’ staff.
Now, as the man under center, Stockton has begun carving out his own identity. He isn’t just managing games—he’s winning them. With a blend of arm strength, poise, and underrated athleticism, Stockton has shown he can extend plays, attack secondaries, and rally his team when adversity strikes.
Through the first month of the season, he has posted efficient numbers and made few mistakes. But it’s his demeanor that has won over teammates and worried opponents. Stockton’s calm confidence is reminiscent of Georgia’s recent title-winning leaders, but his playing style brings a bit more unpredictability.
Alabama’s Defense: Strong, But Tested
Since their season-opening loss to Florida State, Alabama’s defense has quietly put together some of its most stingy football in years. Led by linebacker Deontae Lawson and a defensive front that has allowed only one touchdown in the past two games, the Tide appear to be regaining their identity.
But facing Stockton presents a different challenge. Unlike Vanderbilt or Wisconsin, teams Alabama has recently stifled, Georgia’s offense is balanced and deep. Stockton thrives on play-action, quick reads, and spreading the ball around. He’s not just throwing to one or two targets—he’s got a full arsenal, from star tight ends to explosive backs out of the backfield.
That versatility makes defending him difficult. If Alabama sells out to stop the run, Stockton has the poise to punish them over the top. If they drop back to protect against the pass, Georgia’s running game can churn out yards behind an elite offensive line.
DeBoer’s Philosophy: Preparation Over Panic
DeBoer didn’t sound panicked in his assessment of Stockton, but he was realistic about the challenges.
“The big thing for us is discipline,” he explained. “Stockton feeds off mistakes. If you over-pursue, he finds the lane. If you blow a coverage, he doesn’t miss it. We’ve got to make him earn everything. Nothing easy.”
DeBoer emphasized that Alabama’s bye week would be used to fine-tune fundamentals rather than reinvent the playbook. Tackling in space, communication in the secondary, and gap integrity up front will all be focal points. The Tide’s coaching staff knows Stockton isn’t easily rattled, so the key is consistency—limit the explosive plays and force him into long, methodical drives.
Will Alabama Have an Answer?
The looming question, though, is whether Alabama truly has an answer for Stockton. It’s one thing to game plan on paper; it’s another to execute inside Sanford Stadium, where Georgia’s home crowd can rattle even the most seasoned opponents.
Alabama’s secondary, led by Kool-Aid McKinstry, has the talent to match up with Georgia’s wideouts, but they will need help from the pass rush. If the Tide can collapse the pocket and keep Stockton uncomfortable, they have a shot at dictating the game.
On the flip side, Alabama’s offense must also do its part. A shootout in Athens is not a favorable scenario for the Tide. Keeping Stockton off the field—by sustaining drives, establishing the run, and protecting their own quarterback, Jalen Milroe—might be as important as anything DeBoer’s defense schemes up.
The Stakes in Athens
This game is about more than just Stockton vs. Alabama. It’s about control of the SEC landscape. A win for Georgia further cements them as the team to beat, while an Alabama upset would reassert the Tide’s place as perennial contenders under DeBoer.
For Stockton, the matchup is a chance to prove he’s not just a caretaker of Georgia’s offense but a quarterback capable of outdueling the sport’s elite. For Alabama, it’s about proving that their defensive resurgence is real and that DeBoer’s leadership can translate to victories in the toughest environments.
Conclusion: Respect, But Not Fear
DeBoer’s early comments on Gunner Stockton reflect a coach who respects his opponent but isn’t bowing to the hype. He sees Stockton for what he is: a talented, poised quarterback who can change a game if allowed to get comfortable.
The bye week offers Alabama time to prepare, but preparation is only half the battle. Execution, resilience, and perhaps a bit of luck will determine whether the Tide can leave Athens with a win.
Next Saturday, all eyes will be on Gunner Stockton—and on Alabama’s ability to answer him.
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