Stetson Bennett IV is a Heisman Trophy candidate whether you like it or not

Georgia football quarterback Stetson Bennett. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)
Georgia football quarterback Stetson Bennett. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV has been doubted his whole career. Against the odds, he looks like a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2022.

He’s already led Georgia football to a national championship, but you wouldn’t guess it based on the conversations around Stetson Bennett IV.

The Bulldog quarterback hasn’t been talked about among the best quarterbacks in the country at any point. He can’t quite shake the “former walkon” tag.

But on Saturday against Oregon, he made his case for some R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Georgia football: Stetson Bennett IV is a Heisman Trophy candidate

Bennett went 25-of-31 for 368 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored a touchdown on the ground.

The numbers were good. The performance itself was better. Bennett made plays. He wasn’t just managing the game, he was dominating it.

He may not be the best NFL prospect in college football this year but he deserves some credit for the college football quarterback he has become. When it comes to leading his offense, he clearly has what it takes.

He may have been a walk-on. He may have been JT Daniels’ backup. Now he’s the undisputed leader of the defending national champions.

Oregon has a talent-laden defense. Bennett wasn’t putting up career numbers against the Sisters of the Poor. Against legitimate Power 5 opposition, he put on a show.

Bennett will have countless opportunities to prove himself as the season continues. If any other quarterback at a top program like Georgia had the performance Bennett had on Saturday, they wouldn’t need more games to get national recognition. They would be showing up at the top of the Heisman Power rankings.

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