Gunner Stockton entered his junior year as the clear starter for the Georgia Bulldogs, building on a 2025 campaign that saw him throw for 2,894 yards, 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions. His dual‑threat skill set helped the Bulldogs clinch a second straight College Football Playoff berth, reinforcing his status as one of the SEC’s most reliable quarterbacks.
Rankings That Raised Eyebrows
When CBS Sports analyst David Cobb released his Heisman‑related tiers, Stockton was placed in the “All‑conference caliber vets” bucket rather than the “Obvious Heisman Candidates” group, a decision that caught the attention of fans and commentators alike.
The tier above him featured SEC standouts such as Arch Manning of Texas and Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss, while four Big Ten quarterbacks — Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, Josh Hoover and Jayden Maiava — earned the top‑tier label.
Other Contenders
Moore, projected as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft, drew praise for his arm talent, whereas Sayin’s invitation to the 2025 Heisman ceremony highlighted early promise despite a disappointing finish. Maiava, meanwhile, battles for playing time on a stacked USC roster coached by Lincoln Riley.
Other names on the radar include CJ Carr at Notre Dame and Darian Mensah at Miami, both of whom are being discussed as legitimate Heisman threats as the 2026 season approaches.
The disparity in rankings underscores how preseason buzz, conference visibility and narrative arcs often outweigh raw statistics when voters shape Heisman conversations.