Regardless of what Stetson Bennett decided to do this offseason, he’d forever be a legend in the state of Georgia. The starting quarterback on Georgia’s first national championship team in 41 years, Bennett had a decision to make: Sail off into the sunset or return to Athens for one more year in an attempt to repeat as national champs?
As you know, Bennett elected to return for another year with the Bulldogs, which is a large reason why CBS Sports ranked Georgia’s quarterback room as the nation’s fourth best for the 2022 football season.
He’ll be joined by returning talent Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff, plus true freshman Gunner Stockton. Beck and Stockton are former four-star recruits, while Vandagriff was a five-star in the class of 2021. The only member of the group who was not a highly rated recruit is…you guessed it…Bennett.
Via Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports:
For all the talk of his limitations, Stetson Bennett ended 2021 ranking No. 2 in the SEC in quarterback rating, No. 4 in passing touchdowns, No. 5 in yards passing and No. 1 in yards per attempt. He was highly efficient and made big-time plays in the national championship game to deliver the ‘Dawgs their first ring since 1980. The room behind him is unproven but supremely talented. Brock Vandagriff was a five-star in the Class of 2021, while Carson Beck is entering his third year with the group. Gunner Stockton, meanwhile, is another blue-chip recruit who should provide valuable depth. We’d like to see a little more experience from the backup group in 2022, but Bennett is a good quarterback.
Bennett threw for 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 12 starts in 2021. He was named Offensive MVP of the national championship game against Alabama. Beck appeared in three games last fall, completing 10/23 passes for 176 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
CBS Sports’ top-five quarterback rooms in the nation for 2022:
Key players: Bryce Young, Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson
Key players: C.J. Stroud, Kyle McCord, Devin Brown
Key players: Cade McNamara, J.J. McCarthy, Alan Bowman
4. Georgia Bulldogs
Key players: Stetson Bennett IV, Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, Gunner Stockton
5. LSU Tigers
Key players: Jayden Daniels, Myles Brennan, Garrett Nussmeier, Walker Howard
2022 G-Day stats for Georgia’s QB room:
Bennett: 15 for 35, 273 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
Beck: 14 for 22, 274 yards, 0 INTs
Vandagriff: 12 for 26, 114 yards
Stockton: 1 for 3, 9 yards
From the minute Georgia was crowned national champions, Kirby Smart made it well known he wanted his starting quarterback to return. Still, not all Georgia fans were convinced that this was the best-case scenario.
The news of Bennett returning came just a few minutes after JT Daniels — now at West Virginia — announced he’d be transferring from UGA earlier this offseason.
