Georgia QB Gunner Stockton stuns fans by taking ‘soul-crushing hit’ as he makes clutch pass against Ole Miss

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton’s toughness shall go unquestioned after Thursday’s Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss in New Orleans.

Standing just 6ft1, the 21-year-old Bulldogs star was rolling to his left in the second quarter when he found running back Cash Jones open along the sideline.

But, just as he was delivering the ball to his intended target, Stockton was absolutely levelled by unblocked Rebels linebacker Tahj Chambers. Both of Stockton’s feet came off the Superdome turf before his head came crashing down a few yards behind them.

Despite the oncoming tackler, Stockton still managed to deliver the pass to Cash, who scampered down to the Ole Miss 1-yard line for a 26-yard gain on the play.

If Stockton was feeling the effects of that hit, he wasn’t showing any. The Georgia native picked himself up off the turf and booked it to the 1-yard line, where he quickly called for a quarterback draw to score a touchdown and give the Bulldogs a 14-12 lead.

‘Unbelievable toughness by Stockton,’ said ESPN announcer Greg McElroy. ‘Got crushed.’

‘No aftereffects from that big hit,’ play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough said after the touchdown.

Fans were equally impressed.

‘He’s tough as nails,’ one remarked on X.

‘Stockton just took a soul-crushing hit and still delivered,’ another wrote, adding: ‘kid’s built different.’

One fan put it simply: ‘Gunner Stockton is a warrior that play was everything.’

Stockton had two rushing touchdowns over the first three quarters, although he initially struggled through the air, completing just nine of his first 17 passes for 105 yards.

Both 12-1 entering the game, Georgia previously beat Ole Miss back on October 18 as Stockton had, perhaps, his best game for the Bulldogs. Not only did he complete 26 of 31 passes for 289 yards, but Stockton also had four touchdowns on the day.