Former Pierce County Bear and current University of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV was named as a Heisman Trophy finalist Monday, December 5. Bennett is one of four finalists, all quarterbacks, including University of Southern California’s (USC) Caleb Williams, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Texas Christian University’s (TCU) Max Duggan.
The winner of the award will be presented during a presentation in New York at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 10. The award presentation will be televised on ESPN.
Bennett was awarded the Burlsworth Trophy December 5 in a ceremony held in Arkansas. The annual trophy is given to the nation’s best player who started as a walk-on. The trophy is inspired by the memory of former University of Arkansas football player Brandon Burlsworth who started as a walk-on, worked his way to being a starter and was named an All-American following his senior season. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts but was killed in an automobile accident before playing in the NFL. A movie was made detailing the story entitled ‘Greater’.
Bennett was also recently named the most valuable player (MVP) of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship game held December 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Bennett threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 50-30 win over LSU. For the 2022 season, Bennett has thrown for 3,425 yards with 20 touchdowns while adding 184 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns.
Bennett will lead the Bulldogs in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Semifinal Saturday, Dec. 31 in Atlanta fellow Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Stroud and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
