University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: CallieClark/Glory Glory
October 21, 2026 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia fifth-year quarterback Gunner Stockton is one of 18 recipients who has been named to the 2026 National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete Award class and a William V. Campbell Trophy finalist for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership, according to an announcement from the NFF and the College Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
With Stockton's selection, Georgia has now had a Southeastern Conference leading 16 NFF postgraduate scholars and is one of six recipients from the league this year. In fact, the Bulldogs are tied for sixth nationally in the category all-time. This is Georgia's third quarterback in history and first since Aaron Murray in 2013 being honored.
Each of the players honored win an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and will be recognized at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Resort & Casino on Dec. 8. The honorees comprise the list of finalists for the Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the best scholar-athlete in the nation. One member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Stockton is also one of six quarterbacks in a group honored that has 11 offensive players. He is the first Bulldog to garner the honor since former UGA receiver and current Los Angeles Charger Ladd McConkey received the 2023 NFF award.
The Bulldogs have now had 16 players in school history to earn this NFF honor. While this is the third in the Kirby Smart era, there have now been seven in the 2000s: Stockton, McConkey, Rodrigo Blankenship (2019), Murray, Drew Butler (2011), quarterback David Greene (2004) and offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb (2002). Matt Stinchcomb (1998) is the only Bulldog to win the Campbell Trophy.
Bobby Etter in 1966 was the first Georgia NFF Scholar-Athlete Award winner. Tommy Lawhorne (1967), Billy Payne (1968), Tim Callaway (1969), Tommy Lyons (1970), Tom Nash (1971), Jeff Lewis (1977), Terry Hoage (1983) and Matt Stinchcomb are also Bulldogs who have been honored.
Stockton provided valuable looks as a scout team quarterback during his redshirt season in 2022 when the Bulldogs won the SEC title and second consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship. Since that introductory year, Stockton has distinguished himself as exceptional both on and off the playing field.
Stockton, a native of Tiger, Ga., and graduate of Rabun County High School, finished seventh in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting and was a finalist for the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. A Third Team All-SEC selection, the 2025 team captain completed 269 passes for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025 while leading SEC quarterbacks with 462 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. His 69.69% completion percentage in 2025 ranked second in Georgia history. Named MVP of the 2025 SEC Championship Game, he accounted for 195 yards and three touchdowns. In 2026, Stockton has 1,570 passing yards and 16 touchdowns through seven games, including five touchdown passes against Western Kentucky to tie a school record. Stockton ranks second nationally and leads the SEC in completion percentage (74.1%) and passing efficiency (185.87), while his 16 touchdown passes are second in the SEC and tied for 10th in the FBS.
Stockton helped Georgia capture consecutive SEC championships in 2024 and 2025 and advance to the CFP quarterfinals both seasons. After replacing an injured Carson Beck in the second half of the 2024 SEC Championship Game against Texas, he helped lead the Bulldogs to victory before making his first career start in the CFP quarterfinals. Stockton also contributed to Georgia's 2023 Orange Bowl championship and a three-year stretch in which the Bulldogs compiled a 36-6 record and finished in the nation's top 10 each season. The Bulldogs have earned a No. 5 ranking in the AP Top 25 this season while posting a 6-1 record.
In the classroom, Stockton has also grown into one of the team leaders. The 2025 Sport Management graduate earned a 3.27 GPA and then worked to receive his Certificate in Learning Design and Technology. He is a four-time SEC Honor Roll recipient and has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for eight semesters. In addition, Stockton was named to the Dean's List during his time at UGA.
Stockton has also committed his time to a variety of charities during his tenure in Athens. He has made multiple stops at hospitals in the area and visited with patients; hosted a youth football camp; volunteered at Camp Rainbow and Camp Sunshine and played host to ESP (Extra Special People) at the Bulldogs' practice; contributed Christmas gifts and gave them away to the Athens Boys & Girls Club; and made visits to area schools to encourage reading and reaching educational goals.
The NFF's National Scholar-Athlete program presented by Fidelity Investments launched in 1959 and is the first initiative in history to award scholar-athletes postgraduate scholarships for their combined athletic, academic and leadership abilities.
Stockton and the fifth-ranked Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) will take on Florida in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31. ABC will televise the annual matchup at 3:30 p.m.
With Stockton's selection, Georgia has now had a Southeastern Conference leading 16 NFF postgraduate scholars and is one of six recipients from the league this year. In fact, the Bulldogs are tied for sixth nationally in the category all-time. This is Georgia's third quarterback in history and first since Aaron Murray in 2013 being honored.
Each of the players honored win an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and will be recognized at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Resort & Casino on Dec. 8. The honorees comprise the list of finalists for the Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the best scholar-athlete in the nation. One member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Stockton is also one of six quarterbacks in a group honored that has 11 offensive players. He is the first Bulldog to garner the honor since former UGA receiver and current Los Angeles Charger Ladd McConkey received the 2023 NFF award.
The Bulldogs have now had 16 players in school history to earn this NFF honor. While this is the third in the Kirby Smart era, there have now been seven in the 2000s: Stockton, McConkey, Rodrigo Blankenship (2019), Murray, Drew Butler (2011), quarterback David Greene (2004) and offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb (2002). Matt Stinchcomb (1998) is the only Bulldog to win the Campbell Trophy.
Bobby Etter in 1966 was the first Georgia NFF Scholar-Athlete Award winner. Tommy Lawhorne (1967), Billy Payne (1968), Tim Callaway (1969), Tommy Lyons (1970), Tom Nash (1971), Jeff Lewis (1977), Terry Hoage (1983) and Matt Stinchcomb are also Bulldogs who have been honored.
Stockton provided valuable looks as a scout team quarterback during his redshirt season in 2022 when the Bulldogs won the SEC title and second consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship. Since that introductory year, Stockton has distinguished himself as exceptional both on and off the playing field.
Stockton, a native of Tiger, Ga., and graduate of Rabun County High School, finished seventh in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting and was a finalist for the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. A Third Team All-SEC selection, the 2025 team captain completed 269 passes for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025 while leading SEC quarterbacks with 462 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. His 69.69% completion percentage in 2025 ranked second in Georgia history. Named MVP of the 2025 SEC Championship Game, he accounted for 195 yards and three touchdowns. In 2026, Stockton has 1,570 passing yards and 16 touchdowns through seven games, including five touchdown passes against Western Kentucky to tie a school record. Stockton ranks second nationally and leads the SEC in completion percentage (74.1%) and passing efficiency (185.87), while his 16 touchdown passes are second in the SEC and tied for 10th in the FBS.
Stockton helped Georgia capture consecutive SEC championships in 2024 and 2025 and advance to the CFP quarterfinals both seasons. After replacing an injured Carson Beck in the second half of the 2024 SEC Championship Game against Texas, he helped lead the Bulldogs to victory before making his first career start in the CFP quarterfinals. Stockton also contributed to Georgia's 2023 Orange Bowl championship and a three-year stretch in which the Bulldogs compiled a 36-6 record and finished in the nation's top 10 each season. The Bulldogs have earned a No. 5 ranking in the AP Top 25 this season while posting a 6-1 record.
In the classroom, Stockton has also grown into one of the team leaders. The 2025 Sport Management graduate earned a 3.27 GPA and then worked to receive his Certificate in Learning Design and Technology. He is a four-time SEC Honor Roll recipient and has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for eight semesters. In addition, Stockton was named to the Dean's List during his time at UGA.
Stockton has also committed his time to a variety of charities during his tenure in Athens. He has made multiple stops at hospitals in the area and visited with patients; hosted a youth football camp; volunteered at Camp Rainbow and Camp Sunshine and played host to ESP (Extra Special People) at the Bulldogs' practice; contributed Christmas gifts and gave them away to the Athens Boys & Girls Club; and made visits to area schools to encourage reading and reaching educational goals.
The NFF's National Scholar-Athlete program presented by Fidelity Investments launched in 1959 and is the first initiative in history to award scholar-athletes postgraduate scholarships for their combined athletic, academic and leadership abilities.
Stockton and the fifth-ranked Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) will take on Florida in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31. ABC will televise the annual matchup at 3:30 p.m.
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