Stetson Bennett tackles Georgia Pro Day, pleased with performance for NFL scouts

ATHENS, Ga. — Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett put his skills to the test today, just like he did every time he suited up for the Bulldogs the last several seasons. Instead of it being the eyes of nearly 93,000 in Sanford Stadium or other raucous environments across the SEC though, today’s test was in a much more tame and quiet atmosphere for NFL scouts to see. After working out in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, Bennett did so once again on Wednesday – only this time within his college training facility at UGA Pro Day.

Bennett was up and down during his throwing session. Working with current Georgia receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Arian Smith and Dillon Bell – plus his younger brother and Bulldog walk-on Luke and Georgia transfer Matt Landers – Bennett said he thought the day went well.

“I felt it went alright. Missed a few. I thought they ran good routes, everybody caught it well. I thought it went pretty good… I mean, a few inaccuracies on a couple of balls, but other than that I thought it went pretty well,” Bennett said. “I’d say it’s probably that (showing off his skills compared to what’s been put on film) on the field there’s so much going on — other stuff. Here, it’s routes on air, how does the ball look coming out of his hand, anticipation, different kinds of routes. It’s strictly physical besides avoiding the rush and that stuff.”

Bennett told reporters he’s been working on all the basics during his training since the end of Georgia’s perfect 15-0 2022 season that culminated with a second consecutive National Championship. From footwork to arm strength and everything in between, Bennett has a skillset he believes will translate to the next level, giving him no reason to try and do anything outside the ordinary.

“I tried to just go and do what I did on tape,” Bennett said. “I always thought I had a strong arm, accurate, can move. Do what we did every day at practice. Just want to be consistent. That’s why I’m a little upset we missed a few today. But it is what it is. Just arm strength, accuracy, anticipation, timing, things like that.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart admitted he wasn’t able to see much of Bennett’s workout on Wednesday. He was caught up talking to NFL scouts and those from across the league that descended upon Athens to see the pro prospects in action. However, he didn’t need to be impressed by Bennett in his nice, new Georgia Pro Day tank top. He’s seen what the quarterback can do on a daily basis during his time between the hedges.

“To be honest, I didn’t get to see it. I was talking and visiting with different people, so it’s hard for me to judge. I know how he’s doing when he’s played games. I don’t think today’s any comparison to actually, what you do in the games matters more. He’s done a really good job of that,” Smart said, also adding in that teams have asked him about his quarterback. “Strengths and weaknesses, what we think he can improve on, what his mental makeup is. All those things he get to showcase in every game he played in. I thought he did a great job of doing that.”

“Decision making has been really good. He has shown improvement in those. But I don’t think you pick one area and say he can improve in this area. He can improve in everything,” Smart continued. “That he has done is played at the highest level of college football for a lot of games and he has played really well. That speaks volumes for itself.”

Bennett became the first Georgia quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards in a single season in 2022. He completed 310 of his 454 attempts (68.3%) for 4,127 yards and 27 touchdowns, also added another 205 yards and 10 scores on the ground. Bennett was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, winner of the Burlsworth Award as the nation’s top former walk-on and took home the Manning Award after the National Championship, given to the top quarterback in the country taking into consideration postseason performance. Bennett earned MVP honors in each of Georgia’s three postseason wins: the SEC Championship Game, College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and, of course, the National Championship Game.

Despite all that success, Bennett is still only considered to be a likely late-round selection. He isn’t in the same conversation as the likes of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson or Will Levis – all four of whom (plus Hendon Hooker) Bennett beat head to head during the 2022 calendar year. He’s knocked for his size and arm strength, among other traits. Bennett isn’t letting that knock his confidence down though. He believes he has advantages that others might not.

“Yeah, I think it is an extreme advantage,” Bennett said about working with a former (and once again current) NFL offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, during his time in college. “You don’t know what you don’t know. That’s at the basis of anything, and so, working with him for three years, the terminology, the protections, routes, changing routes, changing plays, run plays, what works, what doesn’t, how to save us in a bad situation, all those things.”

“Every little moment matters. When we were practicing on a Monday against Samford or someone like that, it was intense like a game,” he continued, speaking about what he learned during his time at Georgia. “Practice hard, everything matters, every rep matters, flip a coin, next throw. Just consistency and every rep, every interaction is a job interview.”

As for what’s next, it’ll likely be more actual job interviews. Bennett knows that what he did on Wednesday at Pro Day is for the scouts to see and compare to his film. He’s got to do it, but it’s also another step for the former walk-on from Blackshear, Ga. towards playing professional football, something he also knows will bring new challenges.

“It’s better football. You gotta play clean,” Bennett said. “It will be a new playbook. That will probably be the biggest thing right off the bat. New playbook, new verbiage. And then it’s the physical things. It’s a man’s league. Being able to avoid tackles, throw on time, accuracy.”

“At the end of the day when you boil it down, who’s the best football player,” he continued. “I know people get caught up on the combine stuff but football starts in August. That’s when we play football. It’s proven every day that you can be consistent so the coaches can trust you. And then being good enough to play whenever that comes.”