Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett is returning for one final season in Athens. Bennett elected to return to school over entering the 2022 NFL draft or transferring.
Bennett, who was excellent in the College Football Playoff, will be favored to win the job as starting quarterback at Georgia. Bennett will face competition from Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton.
For the second consecutive season, Georgia’s prior season-opening starter at quarterback is transferring.
In 2020, Georgia opened the season with D’Wan Mathis, but Stetson Bennett quickly took over. Mathis transferred to Temple following the season.
In 2021, J.T. Daniels helped Georgia knock off Clemson to open the season. The Dawgs later turned to Bennett after Daniels suffered an oblique injury. Daniels is in the NCAA transfer portal.
Brock Vandagriff may prove to be Georgia’s stoutest competition for Bennett. The redshirt freshman quarterback is mobile and now has more familiarity with Todd Monken’s system. Last season, Georgia showed how important it is to have a mobile quarterback. Vandagriff attempted only one pass in 2021.
Carson Beck likely enters spring as the No. 2 quarterback. Beck played before Vandagriff last season and has one more year of experience. Beck threw for 176 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions last season.
Bennett has been doubted before and has not started either of the past two seasons as the starter. Bennett should be expected to win the job thanks to his chemistry with Georgia’s receiving core, experience and mobility. Bennett’s excellence in 2021 should not be overlooked. He finished with the 40th-most efficient passing season of all-time.
