Kirby Smart reinforces confidence in Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett

Not long ago, the burning question for Kirby Smart and the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs was when quarterback JT Daniels would return from injury and take the reins back from Stetson Bennett. Now, the question is whether Daniels will see the field again for the Bulldogs this season.

Daniels, a transfer from USC, assumed the Georgia Bulldogs’ starting quarterback role late in the 2020 season, and the Irvine, California native completed 80 of his 119 pass attempts for 1,231 passing yards, ten touchdowns and two interceptions. Daniels took over as Georgia’s starter once again in 2021, but he missed time early in the season with a lat and oblique injury. In his absence, Bennett — a former walk-on — has put on a show, using his arm and legs to will Georgia’s offense to victory.

“You said, ‘well, why wasn’t [Bennett] the one?’ Well, at the time, we were going with JT,” Smart said. “JT being injured gave Stetson the opportunity to play in games and make the plays he’s made. So, you go back to the South Carolina game, JT played pretty well. Stetson had the interception on the first series, the first time he was in. And then Stetson got other opportunities to play after that, and he’s done a tremendous job.”

Despite a healthy Daniels, Bennett took all of Georgia’s snaps in a 41-17 victory over Tennessee, which clinched the Bulldogs’ perfect season. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 213 passing yards and a touchdown, while rushing eight times for 40 yards and another score.

“I don’t know that I ever didn’t believe he could,” Smart said after the win, when asked what made him believe that Bennett could lead Georgia’s offense. “I’ve always thought Stetson was a good player.”

This season, Bennett has been a star for Georgia, despite entering the season with a slim likelihood of seeing the field. He’s completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,625 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. All the while, Bennett, a capable rusher, has scrambled for 233 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, and a touchdown.

“I’m not going to overthink it with Stetson,” Smart said. “We’re trying to go game by game to get him better. I’m so proud of what he’s been through. For a young man that was a three coming out of spring, three going into fall camp, three coming out of fall camp, what does it say about his character that he stuck around and he kept working to get better? That’s actually what you’re supposed to do in life: overcome hurdles and obstacles, and he’s done that. But as far as forecasting him as a quarterback and winning — I mean, we’re worried about Charleston Southern right now.”