In one way, Kirby Smart wishes his entire team could be like Gunner Stockton.

Smart has remarked multiple times about how youthful this Georgia team is. Yet Stockton, who has made just one start in his Georgia career, is going through his fourth spring practice in Athens.

"I mean, he understands what we're trying to do," Smart said. "He's been through it. I mean, I think about if we had all Gunners at every position. They understand the volume of reps, what we're trying to do. He knows the offense inside and out. Then I get frustrated and impatient when other guys don't know it like him and you have to kind of slow yourself down."

That experience is undoubtedly a huge boost for Stockton this spring, which is different from the others. For the first time in his four years in Athens, Stockton is going through spring practice as the presumptive starter at quarterback.

"I feel like spring's been pretty good," Stockton said Tuesday in his first spring press conference. "I've enjoyed just getting out there and getting to connect with everybody. Some new guys and everybody on the team, and just getting to connect with everybody.”

Stockton said he has been working on his footwork the most since the end of last season. The quiet Stockton has also tried to become a more vocal leader on the team while building chemistry with his receivers.

The conclusion of the 2024 season saw Stockton get his most extensive action to date. He played the second half of the SEC Championship Game win over Texas and then started the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame.

Stockton's biggest takeaway from those experiences came more on the mental side.

"I think of, heck, all the emotions that go into the game," Stockton said. "Because I haven't played in the game in a little bit, so just getting those feelings back. And just learning how to control them. And, just playing. That was fun. So learning from my mistakes is the biggest thing."

Smart said Stockton "continues to grow and get better" during this pivotal spring. Both he and redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi are working hard as the quarterback battle continues.

"I think spring's a good chance for everybody, because you get a bunch of reps," Stockton said. "Like Coach Smart (says), you'll get the most reps here at the University of Georgia. So I think everybody, freshman to fifth years, are getting a bunch of reps. So that's the good thing about Georgia.”