Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett is playing for a second straight national championship on Monday. A win would make him the fifth quarterback to win back-to-back titles in 50 years.
While Bennett’s college career has been a success, his NFL future is up in the air. The 25-year-old was a walk-on before the 2017 season, and his resume doesn’t scream NFL contributor.
However, one scout told Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde that Bennett should get drafted in the offseason.
“He’s an NFL guy,” he said. “He’s a backup. He will get drafted. Obviously very instinctive, a good athlete that runs well, has enough arm. The guy makes impressive throws and has big balls. He’s absolutely getting taken; I say sixth round. [Former Georgia quarterback Jake] Fromm went in [the fifth round], and the talent level isn’t much different.”
Another scout agrees with the first’s assessment, but questions how long Bennett would last in the league.
“I do think he can be a backup for someone,” he said. “I don’t know how long he lasts, meaning he can be someone’s backup in a cost-controlled situation. But once you start paying someone a little more, you probably want better. There are some teams, though, where once you get in the door and establish yourself as reliable, you almost get some tenure, and they don’t get rid of you, like Cooper Rush in Dallas. So maybe he gets himself a setup like that.”
There have been many quarterbacks who won in college but failed to make it in the league, in part because their role in college was closer to that of a game manager.
For Bennett to even be in this situation is impressive considering he is under six-feet tall and was originally a walk-on. If he does make it in the NFL, it would only add to his incredible story.
