Stetson Bennett Bio
Stetson Fleming Bennett IV is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. He gained national recognition for his remarkable college football career at the University of Georgia, where he started as a walk-on and went on to lead the Bulldogs to consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022. Nicknamed “The Mailman,” Bennett became one of the few quarterbacks in college football history to win back-to-back NCAA national titles, solidifying his place as one of the most decorated players in Georgia football history before beginning his professional career in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Stetson Bennett was born on October 28, 1997, in Atlanta, Georgia. His family relocated from Atlanta to Nahunta, Georgia, when he was in first grade. In eighth grade, his family moved again to Blackshear, Georgia, where Bennett would complete his high school career at Pierce County High School.
At Pierce County High School, Bennett emerged as a talented quarterback, leading the school to three consecutive state playoff appearances. During his senior season, he threw for 3,724 passing yards, rushed for 500 additional yards, and scored 40 total touchdowns. Despite his impressive high school performance, Bennett received limited collegiate attention, earning only a two-star recruit rating and receiving just one FBS scholarship offer from Middle Tennessee State. College coaches considered him too short and too light for top-level football, as he stood at 5 feet 9.5 inches and weighed 185 pounds at the time.
Path to American Football
Despite limited offers, Bennett chose to pursue his football dreams by walking on at the University of Georgia in 2017. During his freshman season, he did not take a single snap, observing and learning from the sidelines as the team developed.
When five-star quarterback Justin Fields committed to Georgia in 2018, Bennett made the decision to transfer to Jones College, a junior college in Mississippi. This move proved beneficial for his development, as he played in 12 games during his sophomore season, throwing for 1,840 yards and 16 touchdowns while showcasing improved skills and leadership ability.
Bennett nearly transferred to Louisiana-Lafayette but changed course when Georgia called with an opportunity. With Justin Fields departing for Ohio State, Georgia needed backup quarterback depth and offered Bennett a scholarship. He accepted and returned to Athens as the Bulldogs’ second-string quarterback, beginning his journey back toward becoming a starter.
Stetson Bennett Career
Georgia Bulldogs (2019–2022)
Upon returning to Georgia in 2019, Bennett served as Jake Fromm’s backup and appeared in several games, recording two touchdowns and one interception while adding one rushing touchdown. He notably stepped in during the SEC Championship Game when Fromm suffered an injury, gaining valuable experience in high-pressure situations.
The 2020 season saw Bennett begin as a backup to D’Wan Mathis. After Mathis struggled early, Bennett took over as starter before eventually yielding the position to USC transfer JT Daniels. Bennett appeared in eight games with significant playing time in six of them, compiling 1,179 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions to go along with two rushing scores.
Breakthrough Seasons (2021–2022)
Bennett’s breakthrough came during his fifth-year senior season in 2021. When JT Daniels suffered an oblique injury against UAB, Bennett stepped in and delivered a record-setting performance, tying the Georgia single-game quarterback touchdown record with five scoring passes. This performance earned him the permanent starting job, and he led the Bulldogs to a perfect 12-0 regular season record, finishing with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Despite a loss in the SEC Championship Game to Alabama where Bennett threw three touchdowns and two interceptions, he retained his starting role. He responded with a stellar performance in the Orange Bowl against Michigan, passing for 313 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-11 victory. Bennett then capped the season by leading Georgia to a 33-18 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship, passing for 224 yards and two touchdowns while securing Georgia’s first national title since 1980.
Entering his sixth-year senior season in 2022, Bennett returned to Georgia and picked up where he left off. In the season opener against Oregon, he threw for a career-high 368 yards while accounting for three total touchdowns in a 49-3 victory, earning Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors. He continued his strong play throughout the regular season, leading Georgia to a 13-0 record and another SEC Championship.
In the 2022 SEC Championship Game against LSU, Bennett delivered a masterful performance, passing for 274 yards and four touchdowns while earning MVP honors in the 50-30 victory. He finished the season with 3,425 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions, and seven rushing touchdowns, earning Second-team All-SEC recognition and finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Bennett saved his best for last, leading Georgia to a dominant 65-7 victory over TCU in the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship. He combined for six total touchdowns and was named offensive MVP of the game. The victory marked the largest margin of victory in any FBS bowl game at the time and gave Georgia a perfect 15-0 season record, making the Bulldogs only the third team in college football history to accomplish that feat. Bennett also set the Georgia single-season passing record with 4,127 yards, surpassing Aaron Murray’s previous mark.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2023–Present)
The Los Angeles Rams selected Bennett in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 128th overall pick. He joined a Rams team that featured Matthew Stafford as the starter and Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup. Bennett was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 13, 2023, and did not appear in any games during his rookie season. With Garoppolo serving as Stafford’s backup, Bennett remained on the roster but did not see game action during the 2024 season and continues to develop as he prepares for future opportunities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stetson Bennett played quarterback, not a driving sport. As a quarterback, his strengths included his competitive toughness, football intelligence, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His journey from walk-on to national champion showcased his resilience and work ethic. Bennett demonstrated excellent pocket awareness and the ability to make quick decisions, particularly evident in his record-setting performances against quality opponents. His leadership qualities enabled him to earn and keep the starting job despite significant competition and skepticism throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bennett’s career is defined by several remarkable milestones. His performance against UAB in 2021, where he tied the Georgia single-game touchdown record, marked his emergence as a legitimate starting quarterback. The 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship victory gave Georgia their first national title in over four decades. His second consecutive championship in 2023, coupled with his six-total-touchdown performance against TCU, cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football history. He joined an elite group of quarterbacks who won consecutive national championships and was named MVP of both championship games he played in.
Stetson Bennett Career Wins
Stetson Bennett accumulated an impressive record of achievements during his college football career, most notably leading Georgia to two national championships and earning multiple individual awards recognizing his exceptional performance and leadership.
Georgia Bulldogs Highlights
Bennett’s career at Georgia spanned multiple seasons and featured numerous victories. During his two stints with the Bulldogs, he appeared in 41 games and started 27. His most significant wins came in the 2022 and 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Games, where he led Georgia to decisive victories over Alabama and TCU respectively. In the 2023 championship, Bennett’s team won 65-7, setting a record for the largest margin of victory in an FBS bowl game at that time. He also led Georgia to victory in the 2022 SEC Championship Game against LSU, earning MVP honors. His 2021 season included a perfect 12-0 regular season record and wins over Michigan in the Orange Bowl semifinal.
Other Achievements
Beyond his championship wins, Bennett earned the Manning Award in 2022 as the nation’s top quarterback. He also won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2022, given to the most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. He was named SEC Championship Game MVP in 2022 and earned Second-team All-SEC honors the same year. Bennett finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2022, placing him among the nation’s elite players. His single-season passing record of 4,127 yards at Georgia and his record-tying five-touchdown performance against UAB represent additional highlights in his decorated career.
Stetson Bennett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stetson Bennett IV comes from a family with deep football roots. His father is Stetson Bennett III, and his mother is Denise Bennett, who met and graduated together from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Bennett’s grandfather, Buddy Bennett, played quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 1958 to 1960 before transitioning to a coaching career, giving Stetson Bennett IV a generational connection to college football.
Personal Life
Bennett resides with his family in Georgia. His personal life includes the support of his parents throughout his football journey. On January 28, 2023, Bennett was arrested in Dallas, Texas, on public intoxication charges after authorities responded to reports of him banging on doors in a residential area during the early morning hours. Bennett has built a reputation as a determined and resilient player, overcoming significant odds throughout his career, including being overlooked by major college programs and facing skepticism about his size and abilities. His nickname “The Mailman” has become synonymous with his reliable and steady performance throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Stetson Bennett enters the 2025 season as a member of the Los Angeles Rams roster. With Matthew Stafford serving as the team’s starting quarterback and Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup, Bennett continues to develop and prepare for any opportunities that may arise. The Rams organization values his experience and championship pedigree, providing him with the opportunity to learn behind veteran leadership while continuing to refine his skills at the professional level.
Bennett’s journey from a two-star recruit who received only one FBS scholarship offer to a two-time national champion demonstrates his exceptional work ethic and determination. While he has not yet seen significant playing time in the NFL, his collegiate achievements provide a strong foundation for his professional development. The Rams coaching staff continues to evaluate his progress and integration into the team’s offensive system.
The outlook for Bennett in 2025 focuses on continued growth and readiness for potential opportunities. His resilience and ability to overcome adversity throughout his career suggest he possesses the mental fortitude necessary to persist through challenges at the professional level. Whether through continued development on the practice squad or future opportunities with the Rams or another organization, Bennett’s determination to succeed remains evident as he works toward establishing himself in the NFL.