Bennett a Heisman finalist; also wins Burlsworth Trophy

Stetson Bennett is going to New York City.

Monday afternoon, Bennett learned that he was voted one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which will be awarded on Saturday.

Bennett will join USC’s Caleb Williams, TCU’s Max Duggan, and Ohio State's CJ Stroud on the red carpet before the ceremony gets underway at 8 p.m.

“I don’t even know what to think right now. We have a lot of good players who make me look good. It’s special. This honor is all about my teammates and this team. I wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have the team that we have. This honor is for them,” Bennett said in a statement. “I understand what Coach (Kirby) Smart means when he says that success comes to those who don’t look for it or are too busy working to look for it. I have never thought about the Heisman. I just wanted to play quarterback at Georgia. I just wanted to play football.

I’m thinking of the players and people who have been in this with me. Regardless of who wins, it’s a huge honor to be in this group. The wideouts, tight ends, running backs, offensive line, defense, coaches – I wouldn’t have this opportunity without them so a ton of gratitude for them.”

A second honor came later Monday when Bennett was named the winner of the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes annually to the top former walk-on in the country.

Bennett attended the ceremony in Bentonville Arkansas, where he was joined fellow finalists Purdue quarterback Aiden O'Connell and Troy linebacker Carlton Martial.

The Bulldog quarterback was thought to be an afterthought for the Heisman until he earned MVP honors in the SEC Championship, completing 23 of 29 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns.

Bennett is the first Heisman Trophy finalist for Georgia in 30 years since running back Garrison Hearst in 1992.

For the year, Bennett has completed 269 of 395 passes for 3,425 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s also rushed 47 times for 184 yards and seven scores.

Bennett leads Georgia (13-0) against Ohio State in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Eve.

It was just two days ago after Bennett won the Offensive MVP honors at the SEC Championship when Kirby Smart was asked if the Blackshear native should be a candidate for college football’s biggest prize.

“Well, absolutely,” Smart said.

Sitting beside his head coach during the press conference, Bennett rolled his eyes, nudging Smart, almost embarrassed that the subject was broached.

“He's played really well,” Smart said.

What a difference a year makes.

It was exactly one season ago in Georgia’s post-game press conference following its loss to Alabama that Smart was asked if he considered changing quarterbacks after Bennett endured one of his poorer games.

There were no such questions this time.

“I had several people come up to me and say they thought he played the best game of his career tonight,” said Smart.

Bennett’s inclusion as one of the top four players in college football is yet another feather in the cap of Bennett, whose story of success is one of the more intriguing college football has seen in years.

From a former walk-on to transferring away to Jones College in Mississippi before returning to Athens as a scholarship player, ultimately leading the Bulldogs to their first national title in 40 years last year with a win over Alabama.

... In his Bulldog career, Bennett has won a national championship and an SEC title and is 27-3 as a starter. He has completed 64.8 percent of his passes (560-for-864, 7,726 yards, 59 TDs, 20 INTs). Bennett is 27-3 as Georgia's starter.

... In school history, Georgia is 3-5 all-time against the No. 1 team and Bennett is 2-0. He led Georgia to a victory over No. 1 Alabama in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game and then against top-ranked Tennessee this season.

... Currently ranks third nationally among active players in Total Offense Yards Per Play for a career at 8.28, which is on pace for both an SEC and school record (8.30 by Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M; 7.69 by Aaron Murray, Georgia). The current active national leader is C.J. Stroud (9.12, Ohio State) followed by Grayson McCall (8.45, Coastal Carolina).

... Most recently, Bennett completed 79 percent of his passes, going 23-for-29 for 274 yards, and threw four touchdown passes against No. 14 LSU in the SECCG. He has tied the school record with 269 completions on the season (Eric Zeier, 1993).

... After falling behind for only the second time this season (No. 1 Tennessee 3-0, 10:05 1stQ), Bennett directed an 80-yard touchdown drive that was capped by his 13-yard scamper to the pylon. The Bulldogs would never trail again against the Vols.

... Bennett took off for a career-long 64-yard touchdown run during the win over Auburn, giving the Bulldogs a 28-3 edge at the start of the fourth quarter. His scoring scamper was the longest for a Georgia QB since 1976 when Ray Goff flew 73 yards for paydirt in a 41-0 win at Clemson.

... Bennett and Tim Tebow (four) are the only two SEC players since 2004 to have at least four consecutive games with 250 passing yards and one rushing score. Aaron Murray is the only other Bulldog quarterback to have at least 250 passing yards and at least one rushing score in four games overall during a season (2013).

... Bennett earned Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week and Manning Award National QB of the Week honors while leading No. 3 Georgia to a 49-3 rout of No. 11 Oregon in this season’s opener. He directed the Bulldogs to seven touchdowns on their first seven drives and finished 25 of 31 for a career-high 368 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett also had a 1-yard rushing score against the Ducks. Bennett’s 368 passing yards in the win was the most in a season opener by a Bulldog since 1994 when Eric Zeier tallied 485 yards in a road win over South Carolina.

... He ranked fourth nationally in Passing Efficiency (176.7) last year, which broke the school record in that category previously belonging to Aaron Murray (174.8, 2012).

.. During the CFP National Championship Game versus No. 1 Alabama, Bennett finished 17-for-26 passing with 224 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks. Trailing 18-13 with 10:14 left in the game, Bennett directed a four-play, 75-yard scoring drive that gave the Bulldogs a one-point lead at the 8:09 mark (a two-point conversion failed). Georgia never relinquished its lead to collect its first national championship in 41 years. Bennett was named the game’s Offensive MVP as was the case in the CFP Semifinal Orange Bowl victory over Michigan.