Stetson Bennett on whether recruiting rankings matter to CFB players

Stetson Bennett didn’t come out of high school with accolades and an abundance of offers to play college football.

As a three-star recruit, Bennett was overshadowed and overlooked but eventually fulfilled his dream of walking on to the Georgia Bulldogs football team.

When asked about how recruiting rankings play a role in the day-to-day practice and preparation while playing for UGA, Bennett gave an interesting response.

 “I can’t speak to the five stars in the room,” Stetson Bennett said.

“I wasn’t one. I mean, yeah, coaches say that, but it’s, like, those guys are going to get every opportunity to fail before a walk-on gets an opportunity to succeed. I’ll put it that way .It’s just business. If you recruit all these five stars and then you play walk-ons over every single one of them, who is to say the next five star is not going to see that and not come here? Usually five stars are better than walk-ons. That’s typically how it goes.”

Stetson Bennett then provided keen insight into the behind-the-scenes-operation when it comes to the Georgia football program.

“But I don’t know. I think our team does a good job of — our players do a good job of not really worrying about five star, who — this and that when you walk in the door because all that stuff is over, it’s wiped out. I don’t even know who our five stars are from this last class, I don’t know any recruiting. I know we did well like we typically do because our staff does a great job. But I don’t know who was ranked where because I really don’t care. And I’ll tell you every single senior on this team feels the same way. So I’m sure the coaches are aware and every single media person in the entire universe is aware. But, no, the players are not aware.”

Stetson Bennett on preparing for a team he’s already played

The Georgia signal caller is more than familiar with the opponent standing in front of a Bulldogs’ national title.

The Georgia quarterback was forced to throw a ton against the Alabama Crimson Tide defense when the two teams met on Dec. 4. He finished the game 29-of-48 for 340 yards and three touchdowns through the air, but was also intercepted twice.

Ultimately, Stetson Bennett and the Bulldogs’ offense wasn’t able to do enough to win–and as we all now know–Georgia fell 41-24.

Now, the two SEC powerhouses will meet again to battle for college football’s ultimate prize.

Stetson Bennett was asked about preparing for a team he’s already faced earlier in the year as the Bulldogs implement game plans and practice for the test ahead. The Georgia signal caller noted there may be some changes in the way he prepares, but the bulk of his routine will remain the same.

“I guess it would change, but watching a good bit of the previous game,” Bennett said.

“But as far as the schedule and what I’m going to watch day to day, no, that’s not going to change. And to answer your question, no, I’ve never, I don’t believe, played the same team twice in a season. But preparation is going to be the same. The respect’s going to be the same. How we go about our day to day is going to be the same. That’s what’s got us here, and that’s what we’re going to stick with.”

Stetson Bennett is hoping the second time will have a much better result for the Georgia Bulldogs.