Stetson Bennett addresses how it feels entering 2022 as 'the guy' for Georgia

Stetson Bennett enters the 2022 season for the Georgia Bulldogs as the unquestioned starter at quarterback, which is drastically different from his previous seasons with the team. Recently Bennett addressed the sensation of coming in as the starter and whether or not he will play with a chip on his shoulder this season.

“Yeah, it’s a little different. Every other year, it’s uncertainty, really. Last year pretty much lucked into going out there and playing, to an extent,” said Bennett. “This year, you get fall camp, you get to spring, now we’re here, game week. So it kind of came faster because you’re so busy in the day- practice and all that stuff, working on little things.

“Last year I wasn’t quite as in tune because not only wasn’t I the starter, I wasn’t the second-string guy. You get so caught up in the day-to-day and little things that you lose track of the overall; holy cow, it’s Oregon week now. So thankfully, I think we’ve handled it really well… probably a little more excited than I was this time last year.”

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Heading into last season, Bennett was not projected to be the starting quarterback, much less in the rotation during the season. But a series of events paved the way for the senior to get his opportunity to show what he could do, and he delivered. Bennett led the Bulldogs to the College Football Playoff and a victory over rival Alabama in the championship game, helping secure their first championship since the early 1980s. However, despite leading the Bulldogs are the promised land, many have suggested that Georgia one in spite of Bennett’s presence. That kind of outside noise could lead to a big chip being on anyone’s shoulder. So is there one on Bennett’s? According to him, not so much.

“Well, I think that’s what people mean when they ask do you play with the chip on your shoulder? If you do, then that’s when that question comes into question,” said Bennett. “If this guy could only be Superman whenever everybody thought that he couldn’t be able, well, then what happens when everybody does think he can be? Does he have that extra edge?

“So that’s why, good or bad, I really don’t worry about what other people have to say. It all comes from within for me. Because I know what it feels like, what it looks like to be good, and I want to be that for me and my teammates. Not to prove anyone wrong or to shut up the doubters and all that stuff… I take it how it comes; it’s highs and lows for me. I just wake up and try to be better than I did last week.”

Despite what anybody has to say about Bennett, they can’t take away what he has done. No matter where he goes or what he does for the rest of his career, he will always be known in Georgia as the quarterback who led them to their first college football national championship. And if the team stands steadfastly behind him, he could lead them to another at the end of this season.