Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) kisses the trophy after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Alabama Crimson Tide Versus Georgia Bulldogs On Monday Jan 10 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship At Lucas Oil Stadium In Indianapolis Syndication The Indianapolis Star
Stetson Bennett IV cemented his place in Georgia history this past season, leading the Bulldogs to their first national championship since 1980.
But, can he add to his legacy even more in 2022? He’ll be back for 1 more ride with the Dawgs, and he’s the unquestioned starter this time around, it seems.
Bryce Young (Alabama), CJ Stroud (Ohio State) and Caleb Williams (USC) are the favorites to win the Heisman in 2022, but in a roundtable discussion among ESPN’s CFB experts, Adam Rittenberg named Bennett as a dark-horse candidate to watch:
This might shock some folks, but what about Georgia’s Stetson Bennett? He’s the returning starter for the defending national champions, ranked fourth nationally in pass efficiency and third in total QBR, and will lead an extremely talented offense under the same coordinator (Todd Monken). I realize why Bennett is so easily written off, but should he be?
Georgia loses a lot of talent, particularly on defense, to the 2022 NFL Draft. But, Kirby Smart has recruited at an elite level for a number of years, so reinforcements should be on the way.
It does seem likely that Georgia’s defense will take at least a minor step back in 2022, though, which could lead to Bennett being forced to throw more. That could, in turn, lead to bigger numbers being posted by the Georgia QB.
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Not a chance. It's not because he doesn't deserve some hype, per se, but rather he's just not an exciting player. He just does his job and goes home. There's nothing "extra" or special about him, but that works for Bulldogs and that's all that matters.
I don't think he really cares either: He's got a national championship ring as the starting quarterback.
Let him play like he did against Michigan and Alabama and he might be!!! He has experience. His arm was never his problem!!! FlaGators will suck. So don't worry about the elite teams!!!!
Negan
He IS exciting - mobile QB and a good arm and an underdog status. The issue is whether he can be consistent enough... and the fact that UGA's offense may be able to score fast but doesn't run a frantic pace or stack stats on one player. It's a systematic, spread the love out kind of offense. No big stats for anyone although QBs still have a chance if the defense plays worse.
I agree. It’s not happening.
Georgia’a offense is always going to be “balanced” and Kirby is always going to make Monken call runs in the fourth quarter.
So Bennett will never be able to pad his stats like Young and Stroud do.
As long as we win. I don't care!!!!
Negan
Heisman hype...I doubt it. The Mailman delivers the mail & then goes home...no flash/pizazz. But he played well enough to beat us in the Natty. Congratulations Dawgs...enjoy it.
Classy answer @ AFan
Adam, have you no shame?
LOL LOL Bennett for Heisman..LMAO now that's funny
I'm okay with Bennett being the NC Game Offensive MVP and calling it a day.
UGA will produce a defensive Heisman winner long before it produces an offensive Heisman winner.
Kirby’s offensive philosophy doesn’t allow for offensive Heisman winner – run-oriented, rotating multiple RB’s, rotating WR’s, ground ‘n’ pound once a game is in hand etc.
Unless a phenomenal TE who can make the tough over the middle catches, produce explosive break-away plays both rushing and receiving, own the redzone, block etc. were to come along
Stet was 3rd in FBS passing at 10 yards per attempt. He also averaged over 15 yards per completion. Both were the best in the SEC. That’s on top of his elite passer rating and QBR.
Bennett rang up some of the very best ratings in CFB last year without the benefit of ever practicing with the ones to any real degree before JT went down. There’s no telling what we’ll see in September with an entire off-season entrenched with the starters and Monk.
If Stet had the opportunity to throw more, I have no doubt he could ring up the big yardage and TD numbers to be in the Heisman conversation. We’ll see if he gets that chance.
Stetson is the type of QB that Heisman voters loved 20 years ago.
Ken Dorsey had a 56.5% completion rate, but was successful with the ultra-talented players around him, so he was a Heisman finalist TWICE. He was not an NFL-caliber talent, nor was he the most talented or most prolific passer of his day. He didn't have to be.
Josh Heupel was the Heisman runner-up in 2000, placing higher than Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson. That would NEVER happen today.
Just a little more arm strength and Stetson Bennett is Doug Flutie V2.
It’ll always be hard for Bennett to win a popularity contest; maybe it is because of his bad performances in the 2020 Alabama game, the 2020 UF game and the 2021 SECCG. Or, maybe because of his recruiting profile, his lack of size or lacking arm strength. All of the 2021 season people were waiting for him to choke and he more or less did in the SECGC. People tend to focus on those games more than his stellar performance games like the CFP win.
I think Bennett took it to another level in the NC game, his composure and tenacity to not give up. Bennett made some bad plays and had some misfortunate plays then he pulled it together and made some spectacular plays to win the game.
I think Bennett will have a lot fewer Dawn Nation critics in 2022 than he had in 2021 but one bad or mediocre performance and people will be back on the anti-Bennett band wagon.
I think Kirby and Monken are also in a tight spot as far as giving some snaps to one or all of the 4-star and 5-star QB’s that are on the roster – Beck, Vandagriff and Stockton. Who knows what the QB room will look like when we start the season in 2022 but I think Kirby and Monken will do what it takes to have Beck, Vandagriff, Stockton on the roster and competing for the starting QB job in 2023.
Lastly, I saw Vandagriff play in-person on 3 separate occasions and watched a couple of his TV games when he was in HS. The guy is the real-deal and a phenomenal athlete; the coaches were praising his job on the scout team by the end of the 2021 season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Vandagriff is the starter by the end of the 2022 season.
Agreed. Brock has a full toolbox along with a good dose of IT factor. The coaches know it, and the balancing act between he, Stet and Beck this next season will need to be handled very carefully. I’m still surprised Carson didn’t jump in the portal Jan 11th, but good on him for sticking around to compete, at least through spring ball.
Having said all that, now watch Gunner show up as a savant this summer and steal the starting job. Only two of Kirby’s six years at UGA have had the same starting QB in game one end the season still with the job.
I concur with both of y’all.
Vandergriff may be the starter by mid season, if the Dawgs aren't looking good offensively by that time.
Watch out for Gunnar, I think he has the stronger arm.
"He’s the returning starter for the defending national champions, ranked fourth nationally in pass efficiency and third in total QBR, and will lead an extremely talented offense under the same coordinator (Todd Monken)."
Yes, that player deserves to be in the conversation.
Will he win it? Not likely. But it's more because of the balanced offense approach than Bennett not being capable of putting up the numbers.
I think the offense will be the strength of the team. The defense is talented and will likely be very good down the stretch. That should lead to more close games and a need to stay more balanced during the 4th quarter. Bennett will likely have better stats in 2022.