Georgia QB Stetson Bennett ‘could go Void’ despite leading Bulldogs to back-to-back championships because ‘his preliminary draft wasn’t right’ after public intoxication arrest in January
- An NFL executive claimed the former walk-on is viewed as an NFL longshot
- Bennett was arrested after banging on someone’s door in the middle of the night
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Georgia star quarterback Stetson Bennett could disappear despite leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships as his chances of turning pro are slim, it is claimed.
Speak on condition of anonymity ESPNan NFL executive claimed the former walk-on is viewed as an NFL longshot with limited athleticism, size and arm strength by league standards.
If called up, Bennett could be selected as high as a sixth-round pick, but teams are believed to be reluctant to take a chance on the 25-year-old due to his physical limitations and especially after his January 29 arrest for public intoxication. .
“For me he is clearly better than those other guys [in this tier],” the director told ESPN. ‘He does good things. But he could become undesigned. His pre-draft was not good and there are doubts that he will be the pro you need from a backup QB.’
Bennett was also arrested in Dallas after police responded to a report of the quarterback banging on someone’s front door in the middle of the night.
According to an anonymous NFL executive, 25-year-old Stetson Bennett could not be called up again this year despite winning two back-to-back national championships (pictured in January) with Georgia.
Bennett’s January arrest for public intoxication has many teams hesitant to call him up. The QB could still enter the NFL as a priority free agent
Bennett celebrates after winning the College Football Playoff title game in January 2022
Bennett then turned down an invitation to the top pre-draft prospect showcase, the Senior Bowl, leaving NFL general managers scratching their heads over player priorities.
“It was a mistake everyone is aware of,” Bennett said at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine in March. ‘I understand why you can’t.
“I’ve talked to coaches about it, to GMs. My apologies to my family. That’s who I feel worst about.
“I felt like I was letting them down because wherever I go now — and even without all of this — I have an obligation.
“I’m the fourth (Bennett’s name is Stetson). You can’t if your last name is Bennett and I know better.’
A 2022 Heisman Trophy finalist, Bennett rose to prominence for his humble beginnings as a walk-on in Athens, fleeing to grade school only to return and claim the starting role.
Bennett is one of at least nine Georgia players arrested in the past 14 months, but said individual decisions, not a matter of culture, are the problem.
“Those were individual mistakes that those individuals are responsible for. Not a culture issue,’ he said a month ago.
Bennett’s limited athleticism, size and arm strength by NFL standards may also work against him on draft night
Maturity wasn’t one of the problems scouts expected with Bennett — he turns 26 in October, the same age as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson — and decision making, in a position where any split second can call or break, is one of the qualities that Colts head coach Shane Steichen said were a must for quarterbacks.
Bennett did not fly solo in Indianapolis with 13 Georgia players in March. He was also one of five Southeastern Conference quarterbacks invited to the group, which accommodated only 15 quarterbacks overall.
Based on Field Level Media rankings, Bennett’s is expected to be picked in the final two rounds of the draft or become a priority free agent.
Bryce Young (Alabama), Will Levis (Kentucky), Anthony Richardson (Florida) and Hendon Hooker (Tennessee) are projected as first or second round picks.