Georgia football fifth year quarterback Gunner Stockton has been named a finalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, according to an announcement from the National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Stockton, a native of Tiger, Ga., is one of 18 2026 finalists for this year’s award.
“The Campbell Trophy represents everything right in college football,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (a Campbell Trophy® recipient) and Eli were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “These 18 finalists have competed at an extraordinary level while embracing the demands of the classroom and making a meaningful difference in their communities. They understand that success is about more than what happens on Saturdays, and we are proud to recognize them as examples of the character, discipline and leadership that make college football so special.”
The 16 finalists for the Campbell Trophy will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments.
The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 8. One player will be named the winner of the Campbell Trophy and his postgraduate scholarship will be increased to $25,000.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
Stockton joins a distinguished group of 11 offensive honorees and is one of just six quarterbacks recognized. His selection marks the first time a Georgia Bulldog has earned the honor since former UGA receiver and current Los Angeles Chargers player Ladd McConkey was recognized by the NFF in 2023.
Below is more from the UGA release:
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.
No. 5 Georgia’s next game is on Saturday, October 31 against the No. 20/24 Florida Gators at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The game will be televised by ABC at 3:30pm ET (Buy Tickets).