Stetson Bennett reveals why he returned to Georgia for 2022

Georgia’s Stetson Bennett was the quarterback left holding the most important trophy in 2021. The Blackshear, Georgia native never relinquished the starting job for the Bulldogs after injuries to JT Daniels. All he did from there was help lead Georgia to the school’s second national title. His story and talent would normally lead a prospect like him to the NFL. A few even thought he could take his talents to another school. In the end, Bennett is back to start from the jump in Athens in 2022.

Bennett addressed his decision to return during his press conference at SEC Media Days in Atlanta. He said he was conscious of what the NFL process would lead to for him and, with that in mind, he asked why wouldn’t he want to come back for another season in the SEC.

“You play the game to play the game, to win, and to compete against the best players. I’m secure enough to look in the mirror. I wasn’t gonna get drafted high last year. So, what was the guarantee that I was gonna go start in the NFL? Probably pretty low,” said Bennett. “This is the best football and the best conference in the country. You’re competing against the best players, you have the best players on your team, the best coaches, (and) this is the smartest league.”

Bennett finished with 2,862 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. It didn’t come without drama, though, as he and Daniels went back and forth all throughout the championship year. Bennett won out in the end with Daniels entering the transfer portal and heading to West Virginia after the season.

Bennett said it’s now not the numbers or recognition that mean anything. For him, It’s all about the black, red and the logo on his Georgia helmet.

“I think it’s the biggest honor in the world to be able to go out there with G on the side of my helmet, my name on the back, and look at my teammates across from me and know we’re playing for the University of Georgia, state of Georgia, and for Bulldog fans across the country. It really wasn’t that tough of a decision,” Bennett said.

Although he is the reigning national champion’s quarterback, Bennett has continued to be doubted as the 2022 season draws nearer. He has every intention to quiet those critics when Georgia opens the year against Oregon. In the end, he’s ready to lay it all out there for the Bulldogs because they gave him the best starting opportunity in the nation, college or NFL.

“I love football, I love most everything about it. I just love to compete and that was more of a guarantee to be able to compete here.”