BREAKING: No. 1 Top-Rated 5-Star Quarterback Gunner Stockton Announces Shocking Flip to Georgia Bulldogs for Class of 2025
BREAKING: No. 1 Top-Rated 5-Star Quarterback Gunner Stockton Announces Shocking Flip to Georgia Bulldogs for Class of 2025
In a bombshell development that is sending shockwaves through the college football recruiting world, Gunner Stockton, the No. 1 ranked quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class and widely considered the top overall player in the country, has officially flipped his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs, stunning fans, coaches, and insiders across the nation.
The announcement came late Friday night via a surprise Instagram Live session, where Stockton appeared in a Georgia hoodie and proclaimed, “I’m staying home. I’m going to be a Dawg.” Within minutes, Georgia fans erupted on social media, and national recruiting outlets scrambled to confirm the seismic flip.
“This was not just another commitment,” said 247Sports national analyst Steve Wiltfong. “This is a program-altering decision. Gunner Stockton is the type of quarterback that wins Heismans and leads teams to national championships. Georgia just got that guy.”
BACKGROUND: A TWIST NO ONE SAW COMING
Stockton, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback out of Rabun County High School in Tiger, Georgia, had been committed to the University of Alabama for over 10 months. His commitment was considered rock-solid by most insiders, with the Crimson Tide staff reportedly building their 2025 offensive class around him. His relationships with new head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan appeared to be strong, and Stockton had made several visits to Tuscaloosa this year.
However, rumblings began earlier this spring that Georgia — which had originally been a finalist for Stockton before he pledged to Alabama — had quietly re-entered the picture. According to sources close to the situation, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo made a full-court press over the past six weeks, pushing the in-state angle, a new offensive vision tailored to Stockton’s dual-threat skills, and the opportunity to become the next legendary Bulldog quarterback.
“The pressure to stay in Georgia and be the hometown hero never really went away,” said one source close to the family. “This was an emotional decision as much as a football one.”
WHY GEORGIA? A PERFECT STORM OF OPPORTUNITY AND LEGACY
There’s no question Georgia has established itself as the premier college football program of the last half-decade. With back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, a dominant run in the SEC, and a defense that’s the envy of the sport, the Bulldogs are in the midst of a dynasty.
But despite that success, quarterback stability has remained a question mark. While Stetson Bennett IV became a legend and Carson Beck has shown flashes of greatness, there hasn’t been a generational five-star quarterback developed entirely under Kirby Smart’s watch — until now.
“Gunner Stockton gives Georgia their first true quarterback prodigy since Matthew Stafford,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “He’s not just a five-star. He’s a five-tool quarterback: size, arm strength, mobility, IQ, and leadership. Georgia just landed a player that can change the trajectory of their offense for years.”
Moreover, Stockton’s deep roots in the Peach State added an emotional layer to his decision. His family has long-standing ties to Georgia football. His father played high school ball just miles from Athens, and Gunner grew up attending games at Sanford Stadium.
“I always dreamed of running out in front of 90,000 in Athens,” Stockton said during his announcement. “At the end of the day, I want to represent Georgia — not just on the field, but for the people here who raised me.”
IMPACT ON ALABAMA: A DEVASTATING BLOW TO A REBUILDING PROGRAM
For Alabama, the loss of Stockton is a gut punch at a time when the program is trying to stabilize under new leadership. With Nick Saban’s retirement in 2024, the Crimson Tide have been fighting to maintain their recruiting dominance in an increasingly competitive SEC landscape. Stockton was supposed to be the centerpiece of the post-Saban era — the quarterback to lead Alabama into a new generation of high-tempo, pass-heavy football.
Now, Alabama is left scrambling.
“There’s no easy way to say it — this is a disaster for Alabama,” said Paul Finebaum on his show Friday night. “You lose the No. 1 quarterback in the country to a direct rival, and suddenly the narrative is, ‘Can Alabama even compete at the highest level anymore?’ That’s how big this is.”
Insiders say Alabama is likely to now pursue top uncommitted quarterbacks such as Julian Lewis, Tavien St. Clair, or try to flip a committed QB like DJ Lagway (Florida) or Bryce Underwood (LSU). But none are considered to be on the same tier as Stockton.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR GEORGIA: A DYNASTY SECURED?
Georgia’s quarterback room, already loaded with talent, just became the envy of college football. With Stockton now set to arrive in 2025, he joins a depth chart that could include current starter Carson Beck (if he stays for a fifth year), rising star Gunner Stockton (no relation), and freshman phenom Ryan Puglisi.
However, many believe Gunner Stockton (2025) is a Day 1 starter — or at least will be the centerpiece of Georgia’s offense by Year 2. The Dawgs now have the luxury of not just competing for national championships, but doing so with a quarterback who could be the face of college football.
Recruiting analysts also believe that Stockton’s decision could trigger a wave of dominoes in the 2025 class, as elite receivers, tight ends, and offensive linemen look to join him in Athens.
“This could be a modern-day ‘Fab Five’ class for Georgia,” said 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman. “Watch how many top-tier skill players follow Gunner now that he’s locked in.”
RECRUITING FALLOUT: A TIDAL WAVE ACROSS THE NATION
Already, Stockton’s flip is impacting recruiting boards coast to coast. Within hours of his announcement, 5-star wide receiver Jadyn Singleton from California tweeted, “Might have to take another look at Athens 👀.”
Other top offensive players, including Micah Watson (OT), Elijah Grier (WR), and Treyvon Morris (RB), are now rumored to be considering official visits to Georgia in June.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s 2025 class — once ranked No. 2 nationally — may slide outside the top five with Stockton’s departure. The Crimson Tide coaching staff will now face mounting pressure to make a splash in the summer or risk a recruiting crisis.
FINAL WORDS FROM STOCKTON
“I’ve prayed on this decision, talked it over with my family, my coaches, and my teammates,” Stockton said in his Instagram Live. “At the end of the day, I want to win championships. I want to be close to home. And I want to wear red and black. Go Dawgs.”
And with that, the 2025 recruiting landscape was turned upside down.
