By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

After starring with a quarterback rating of 176.69 last season, Bennett debuted, this fall, at 201.66.

None of this, from a reigning national champion, College Football Playoff Final MVP, Orange Bowl MVP or quarterback who finished last season in the top five nationally in passer rating should come as a surprise. The same, based on Stetson Bennett’s legendary high school career, can be said for his overall success; though not highly recruited, Bennett finished his storied tenure at Pierce County in Blackshear, Georgia in the top five in state history in career passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Simply put, before helping the University of Georgia make history, Bennett was one of the state of Georgia’s most productive passers ever.

After a season and a story for the ages, Bennett, somehow, impressed once again for an encore. In a season-opening showdown with 11th-ranked Oregon, and former UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, Bennett completed 25-of-31 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing score. He is one of just three SEC signal callers this millennium with those minimums against Power Five competition, joining Matt Corral and Tim Tebow. Following ten yards per pass attempt a year ago, Bennett opened at 11.9 in his most recent performance.

After starring with a quarterback rating of 176.69 last season, Bennett debuted, this fall, at 201.66.

Bennett has clearly proven that he is one of college football’s best. Although the season is just a few weeks old, he has also shown he deserves some of whatever initial Heisman Trophy attention there is or may be. While the remarkable Bryce Young, the 2021 winner, is the obvious favorite and dazzled with five touchdown passes in Alabama’s first game of 2022, Bennett should have some of the way-too-early attention of fans and media alike. It’s, of course, just one game, but given his season prior, Bennett has played his way into those September conversations and considerations.

The pressure, once more, was on and “The Mailman, once more, delivered.

In one of the season’s biggest and most anticipated week one games, Bennett stood out and starred against another highly-ranked team. And defending national champion Georgia won 49-3.

With expectations rising, Bennett only continues to do the same.