ATHENS, Ga. — Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennet has accomplished nearly everything you can in college: Two championships and a Heisman Trophy finalist recognition.
Now, he’s once again facing an uphill battle to hear his name called in the NFL Draft.
Every round of the NFL Draft airs LIVE on Channel 2 Thursday through Saturday. Watch SportsZone: Draft Edition LIVE from Kansas City at 7 p.m. hosted by Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein and Channel 2′s Alison Mastrangelo.
If Bennett listened to those who doubted him, football fans probably wouldn’t know he even existed. He went from walk-on to junior college, then up the depth chart at UGA before he finally won back-to-back national championships.
Without his work ethic and determination, the Dawgs would have not won their first title since the 1980s or become the first repeat champion in 10 years.
Despite the success, he found himself right back where he started: looking at a long road to get where he wanted to be.
“I think before the year, a lot of NFL scouts might have told you, ‘Yeah, like he’s probably gonna be selling insurance in September 2023,’” said Albert Breer with Sports Illustrated’s MMQB.
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Bennett went to work in the offseason. He turned down the chance to practice and player in the Senior Bowl. Instead, he focused strictly on improving his passing skills and working out in Texas.
Bennett is at his best when the lights are bright and that was true at the NFL Combine. His 40-yard dash and shuttle time were both strong. He answered questions about his arm with his deep passes all on the money.
The scouts started to take notice, but Bennett knew more work was needed.
“There’s so much more to playing quarterback…there’s different offenses, different checks, different motions, whatever you’re asked to do, that’s all you can do.”
Days after the combine, he did it again in front of all 32 teams at Georgia’s Pro Day.
“I tried to just go and do what I did on tape.”
Bennett had meetings and workouts with teams after pro day. The conversation shifted from life after football for Bennett to a draft day steal.
“A lot of people are overlooking Stetson Bennett,” Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner said. “What I’ve seen in college, he’s probably the third best in this group.”
“I try to be myself. There’s nothing to hide from,” Bennett said. “You know, all it takes is one.”
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