BREAKING: Five-star Recruit QB Gunner Stockton Shocks Georgia with Decommitment, Flips Commitment to Alabama Over Tennessee, Michigan, and Others
The football world was set ablaze as news broke late Friday evening: Gunner Stockton, the five-star quarterback from Rabun County High School in Georgia, had decommitted from his home state Bulldogs. Instead, he pledged allegiance to the reigning powerhouse, Alabama.
For weeks, Stockton had been the face of Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class. His name was etched in fans’ hearts as the next great quarterback who could bring another national championship to Athens. Stockton had been a frequent visitor to Georgia’s practices and games, photographed alongside head coach Kirby Smart, who often spoke of him as “the future of Georgia football.”
But late Friday night, Gunner took to social media with a post that sent shockwaves through college football.
“After much prayer and long discussions with my family, I’ve decided to reopen my recruitment. While this decision was not easy, I have realized that my journey leads me to Tuscaloosa. I am committing to the University of Alabama. Roll Tide!”
Fans and analysts were stunned. Stockton had grown up just a couple of hours from Athens and was a self-proclaimed Bulldog fan since childhood. Georgia’s passionate fanbase erupted in confusion, flooding social media with questions.
The Flip:
What led to the shocking flip to Alabama? Insiders reported that Stockton had been impressed by Alabama’s quarterback development under Nick Saban. Bryce Young’s Heisman-winning legacy and Jalen Milroe’s breakout season had convinced Stockton that Tuscaloosa was the place to maximize his potential.
Meanwhile, Tennessee and Michigan, two other finalists in his recruitment, were left scratching their heads. Tennessee had rolled out the red carpet with a flashy NIL package, and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh had flown to Georgia to personally watch Stockton play just weeks before. Neither was enough.
Kirby Smart’s Reaction:
Georgia’s head coach, usually composed in the face of recruiting drama, was visibly frustrated when addressing the media.
“We wish Gunner the best,” Smart said curtly. “He’s a great kid, but we’re going to focus on the players who want to be Bulldogs. Georgia football isn’t defined by one player.”
Alabama’s Response:
Nick Saban, on the other hand, was all smiles during his weekly press conference.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Gunner Stockton to the Alabama family,” Saban said. “He’s an outstanding young man with tremendous potential. Our goal is to help him become the best version of himself both on and off the field.”
The Fallout:
As Stockton’s flip trended nationwide, Georgia fans speculated about the ripple effects. Would other recruits follow suit? Would Georgia still be able to secure a top-tier quarterback for the class of 2025?
For Alabama fans, Stockton’s commitment felt like another feather in Saban’s already well-decorated cap. For Stockton, it marked the next step in his journey toward becoming one of college football’s elite quarterbacks.
The football season was still months away, but one thing was clear: the Gunner Stockton saga had set the stage for one of the most dramatic recruiting battles in recent memory. Fans from Athens to Tuscaloosa—and beyond—couldn’t wait to see how this story would unfold.